Top pick: #2 (NOBLE HUSTLE) (4-1) - Lightly raced and well bred, he ships in from Oaklawn Park where he tired going 8.5-furlongs facing special weight foes April 11. Son of the recently deceased 'Smart Strike' is dropping into a claimer for the first time and is shortening up in distance. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Decent) (9-2) - Home bred by 'War Front' ships from Gulfstream Park where he ran evenly in his debut going 7.5-furlongs on the grass April 4. Well backed that day, trainer Chris Clement (24% second time out) drops him in class (27%) and switches him from turf to dirt (28%). Win threat.
3rd pick: #1 (Dekalb County) (5-2) - Home bred by 'Malibu Moon' raced very wide before weakening when debuting at a mile March 28 at Gulfstream Park. Colt had a tough outside post (12th of 12) and probably got a good educational first effort. Trainer Todd Pletcher (21% second time out) drops him in class (29%) and shortens him up in distance. He has the rail and John Velazquez aboard.
4th pick: #6 (Banker's Boss) (8-1) - Colt has been on the sidelines since rallying to finish second at this tag when debuting at Saratoga Aug. 25th. Training nicely and a threat at a square price.