Top pick: #7 (BIRCHWOOD ROAD) (3-1) - Grey gelding is racing third back from a 4 1/2 month layoff. Nicely spotted in this starter-allowance, last out he finished a close up fourth here at this distance facing tougher. Five-year-old meets a weak looking group and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Melville) (5-1) - Lightly-raced and well bred, he's racing third off a 3 1/2 month layoff and first off a John Toscano claim (20%). He's cutting him back in distance, adds blinkers, and is another well-spotted in this starter-allowance.
3rd pick: #1 (Luv Dakota Style) (4-1) - Grey gelding is a strong finisher and has been sharp in both starts here since coming back from a short break May 2. He finished second here going 6-furlongs for a $40K tag May 30 and that ran his local turf record to 4-1-2-0. The faster the pace, the better his chances.
4th pick: #8 (Pep the Champ) (7-2) - No-speed type rallied from far back to finish second here at this trip racing for a $40K tag May 9. It was his first since early December and colt has been working steadily since. He's another that would benefit by a quick and/or contested pace.