Top pick: #9 (AVE'S HALO) - $180,000 filly by "Harlan's Holiday" was heavily bet whe debuting last August at Saratoga and showed some early speed before tiring on a very muddy surface. Sent in for a nine month break by trainer Linda Rice, filly finished fourth here at this level and distance May 28th in a much better effort. Barn brings her back quickly and has her making back-to-back starts for the first time.
2nd pick: #1 (Simple Rules) - She showed excellent early speed here in late October going 7 furlongs on the grass and runs today off a 7 1/2 month layoff and for a new trainer (Mike Hushion). A very sharp half-mile breeze May 28th indicates her readiness.
3rd pick: #8 (Flirtatious Spring) - The field's only 4-year-old, she's in the same barn as "Ave" but the two fillies race uncoupled. $100K daughter of "Freud" raced evenly here on May 2nd, her first start in 10 months and is another making back-to-back starts for the first time. It's a big plus that Dominguez is back on the re-ride.
4th pick: #6 (Mighty Reward) - She finished a rallying second here at this level and trip April 28th, her first start since early August, then raced wide and evenly in her latest. 3-year-old has a bullet drill at Fair Hill on June 8th, presumably with the blinkers on that she'll wear today.