Top pick: #8 (PEP THE CHAMP) (5-2) - 'Pep' was a visually impressive winner here in a starter-allowance at this level and distance June 25. It matched his career best overall and came off a pair of layoffs. Strong finisher is the horse to beat with a repeat of his last effort.
2nd pick: #9 (The Impostor) (8-1) - Grey gelding is racing first off a Jeremiah Englehart claim ( a 25% winning angle). Canadian bred finished fourth of eight, beaten 2 1/2 lengths at this tag and trip the day he changed barns (June 10). New trainer has worked him twice since and adds blinkers. Price play.
3rd pick: #2 (Hidden Vow) (4-1) - He's racing third off a half-year's absence and has raced evenly in his return pair facing tougher. All of his best efforts have come on this turf 11-2-3-1 and trainer Bruce Brown brings him back in two weeks for this attempt. Dangerous foe.
4th pick: #5 (Blarp) (5-1) - 'Blarp' got away setting soft fractions last out going a mile here for a $40K tag June 7. He coasted home to win by 2-lengths as he cleared the 2l condition. Well bred colt faces a tougher field while shortening up in distance. Can't be eliminated.