Top pick: #4 (CAST A DOUBT) (5-2) - Claimed in late April of 2011 for $50K, and gelding did not race again for 12 1/2 months, returning here at the purchase price on May 10th. He broke sharply, raced just off a quick pace, and held gamely to finish second of seven, beaten 2 1/2 lengths while almost 9 clear of the third place runner. Trainer Ron Ellis has given him five weeks to recover and has worked him three times since. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Hard Play) (4-1) - Colt was bet heavily here May 18th in his first off a four month break and tired to finish a distant second after setting a very fast pace. Trainer Jeff Bonde has worked him twice since, drops him down a bit and has him making back-to-back starts for the first time.
3rd pick: #5 (Broker Brett) (7-2) - Colt ralliied while wide to check in fourth of seven, beaten 2 1/2 lengths sprinting on the grass facing special weights on May 11th. Effort came off a seven week freshening and he's been working fast since. Trainer John Sadler moves him from the turf to the all-weather, and will be dropping him into a claimer for the first time.
4th pick: #1 (Affiliation) (4-1) - Home-bred by "Tiznow" runs third back off a three month break and will be cutting back in distance and dropping into a claimer for the first time. Has the rail, is improving, and must be left in the mix.