Top pick: #6 (JESSES GIANT DUNK) (3-1) - Gelding chased and weakened after a troubled start here at this level and distance on a "muddy" surface Sept. 13. He was bet heavily that day following a second-place finish at Saratoga on Aug. 17 and can redeem himself in this spot.
2nd pick: #4 (Saltine Warrior) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he moves back to the dirt affter going 3-0-1-2 since switching to the grass. Speedy gelding fits, has run well on dirt in the past, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Privatize) (7-2) - Well-bred and improving, $100K gelding by "Corinthian" has fine early speed and comes off a career best when he ran second in the same Sept. 13 race that "Jesse" exits. Win candidate, he should be involved every step.
4th pick: #1 (Chrisandlorisposse) (12-1) - Hoffman home-bred showed some promise last fall/winter, but hasn't been competitive in his last four appearances. He has some speed, draws the rail, goes turf to dirt, and runs third off almost a five month layoff.