Top pick: #3 (FLUENT) (5-2) - Claimed on Jan. 12 at Gulfstream Park by Mike Maker for $35K following a 100-day freshening, this gelding rallied from far back to finish second on the Keeneland "poly" April 21st racing for a $20K tag. Working fine since, barn moves him to the grass for his Belmont debut.
2nd pick: #4 (Bundestag) (3-1) - English-bred was competitive in all 2012 starts. When last in action, he missed by a head racing at this tag on Aug. 23 at Saratoga. Very dangerous against this overall weak field.
3rd pick: #7 (Right Now) (8-1) - He comes off a career best when he finished second at Oaklawn Park facing cheaper on the dirt. Sold privately since then, he makes his first start for trainer Bill Badgett Jr., and he immediately moves him to the grass. Bred (Tiznow) to handle the surface, and he should be a square price.
4th pick: #9 (Polaris Dream) (4-1) - Gelding has raced evenly in a pair on the dirt since returning from almost a 16-month layoff in late March. Don't just dismiss.
5th pick: #10 (Fiddlers Chico) (20-1) - Longshot ran evenly last out after "hitting the gate" at the break, and that was facing tougher. Drops, has room for upside, and could impact at a very big price.