Top pick: #3 (STAR MAGNOLIA) (3-1) - Lightly raced filly was an easy winner here racing for a $50K tag on Oct. 1 as she cleared the 2l condition. Win came off almost a 4 1/2 month layoff and was a career best overall. Claimed that day by Gary Gullo, he brings her back quickly, and moves her up in price. Trainer is having a strong meet, and this filly gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #6 (Conzig) (9-2) - She won at Saratoga on Aug. 20 for a $16K tag and was claimed that afternoon by Chris Englehart. New barn brings her back with a ruse in class, and mare had a bullet three furlong drill here Oct. 2.
3rd pick: #4 (Shaunna Alexandra) (7-2) - Philly Park shipper is lightly raced (7-2-2-1) and is dropping a bit in class for her first at Belmont. Speed/stalker fits on "figures," and trainer Phil Klesaris has gone 4-1-2-0 at this meet.
4th pick: #7 (Off My Cloud) (6-1) - Filly drops in class and is racing third off a 7-week freshening. One run type fits with her best, but believe in her present form that a minor award is her ceiling.