Top pick: #12 (NUMBER ONE) (7-2) - Home bred colt missed by a 'nose' here at this level and distance May 1. It was his first in a claimer and 3-year-old followed that up with a third-place finish May 30. In shape, working fine, and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (The Catmancan) (6-1) - Gelding ran evenly while fighting his rider most of the way facing tougher here June 5. He was beaten a length when making his turf debut in his previous start. Trainer Dave Duggan brings him back quickly and drops him into a claimer for the first time.
3rd pick: #1 (Key to the Bridge) (5-1) - Keeneland shipper races for the first time since April 18 and does so as a NEW gelding. Nicely bred 3-year-old had all sorts of traffic issues last out and is another dropping into a claimer for the first time.
4th pick: #4 (Risky Reversal) (8-1) - One of three making their debuts, grey gelding is working above average and is from the top barn of Chad Brown. Trainer wins at a 21% rate first out and is at an astounding 31% with first timers going a mile or more.
5th pick: #6 (Mission Driven) (4-1) - Churchill invader rallied from far back to finish second of 12, beaten a 1/2 length racing there for a $40K tag going longer May 17. By far a career best and he's been working fast at Monmouth since then.