Top pick: #9 (WEEKEND HIDEAWAY) (3-1) - He had a big 2-year-old season in 2012, winning a pair of rich stakes for New York-breds, and finishing a solid third in the (G2) Belmont Futurity. Colt by "Speightstown" has raced evenly in both starts this year and they've come against "open" company. Freshened up since March 9th, he's training nicely for his return, draws a nice outside post at this 7-furlong distance, and was a winner on this surface at this trip last Oct when taking the $125k "Bongard" stakes.
2nd pick: #7 (Hay Shares) (6-1) - He's undefeated (3-for-3) and has shown a lot of "grit" and "gameness" in his last two wins. Gelding by "Henny Hughes" looked beaten in both but dug in to prevail. Working fine for this and he should be involved from start-to-finish.
3rd pick: #2 (Amberjack) (8-1) - Lightly-raced colt is (3-2-0-1) against fellow New York-breds and was a good looking winner here in the slop going a mile on May 11th. Race was his first since Jan. 1, a career best, and he can impact at a square price.
4th pick: #1 (West Hills Giant) (5-2) - The possible favorite, he's been in with some tough "open" company since late Sept. when he won the rich "New York Breeders' Futurity" ($247K) at Finger Lakes. He draws a tough inside post and is a threat, but at a short price.