Top pick: #2 (SHORE RUNNER) (8-5) - The probable favorite, gelding is lightly-raced, still improving, and comes off an impressive win at Saratoga on Aug. 1. Claimed that day by Ian Wilkes for $40K he moves him up a bit for his first try at this 3l condition. Stalker is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Asset Inflation) (5-2) - Another that's lightly raced, gelding has been freshened up since a sharp win here at this trip on July 12th. State bred is two for three on the turf and this New York bred is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Joking) (5-1) - Well bred 5-year-old comes off a very troubled trip on the Saratoga dirt Aug. 14 in his first start in almost 4 1/2 months. He's worked well since and has been competitive on this course without winning at 3-0-1-1.
4th pick: #5 (Papa Tom) (15-1) - No-speed type moves up in class after rallying to finish second sprinting on the "Spa" lawn Aug. 15 when facing weaker. Unless there's a complete pace collapse, a small slice would appear to be his ceiling.