Top pick: #4 (BIRD PRINCE) (5-2) - Whitney home bred ships in from Keeneland where he finished second of nine, beaten just over a length, going two-turns for a $50K tag. A career best, it was his first ever in a claimer. Son of 'Birdstone' had a bullet 5-furlong work on the deep Saratoga training track May 17th and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Rick Ant) (8-1) - Longshot is racing third back from a two month freshening. He's raced evenly in his return pair, the latest here on the grass at this distance facing better May 1st. Drops, goes turf to dirt, and is a threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #6 (Mandolin Wins) (4-1) - Another who tends to race evenly, he's racing second back from a four-month layoff. Trainer Dave Donk switches him from grass to dirt, stretches him out in distance, and drops him into the claiming ranks for the first time.
4th pick: #1 (Mr. Canada) (6-1) - Keeneland shipper ran evenly there at this level going 6-furlongs April 24th. Home bred stretches back out in distance and Joel Rosario stays aboard. Barn (Nick Zito) is having a very poor year so far. Colt may grab a share at a square price.