Top pick: #7 (MOONLUCK) (3-1) - Well bred 4-year-old showed a lot of promise last year at this time when he finished second here in a pair of maiden special weight contests that had strong fields. Probably injured at that time, he went in for a almost a 10-month layoff returning at Saratoga on Aug. 6. Dropped way down in class, he was a very easy winner in that 7-furlong contest and was claimed for $20K by Dave Jacobson. The new trainer is off to a strong start at this meet and he wins at a 26% rate first off the claim. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Stalagmite) (12-1) - Longshot tired at Saratoga when facing $25K 2l opposition on Aug. 13. It was his first back from almost a two month freshening and gelding was claimed that afternoon by Jeremiah Englehart. Speedy 3-year-old likes it locally (2-1-1-0) and his new trainer wins at a 20% rate first off the claim.
3rd pick: #6 (Whyprolongtheagony) (12-1) - Mid-Atlantic invader ships up from Monmouth where he rallied while wide to finish third there on Aug. 24 when racing for a $10K tag. Nicely bred colt is in a good small barn (Mike Lerman) and fits with his best.
4th pick: #3 (Gentrify) (6-1) - Very lightly-raced home bred was a "game" maiden winner at Saratoga on Aug. 11 and has since come back with a sharp half-mile breeze Sept. 5. Gelding still has room for upside and it's a plus that Castellano stays aboard.