Top pick: #4 (ROUSING SERMON) (5-2) - Always highly thought of by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, strong finisher kept some very "lofty" company earlier in his career and finished a troubled 8th of 20, beaten 8 lengths in the 2012 "Kentucky Derby" (G1). Last out at Santa Anita he rallied into a slow pace to win at this distance facing slightly weaker in his 2nd back from a almost a 5 month layoff. Colt goes dirt to "poly" and he's (4-1-2-0) on this surface.
2nd pick: #1 (Congenial) (6-1) - Price play enters in career best shape, has excellent early speed, and draws the rail. Gelding by "Pulpit" has gone (4-3-0-1) since coming to the barn of Cody Autry and is working fast for his local debut. Strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Batti Man) (5-1) - Speedy sort goe turf to "poly," drops in class, and has been competitive at this level in the past. He tries hard every time and will do so again this afternoon.
4th pick: #6 (American Blend) (3-1) - Lightly-raced 5-year-old also goes turf to "poly" and he ran evenly on the local lawn in his latest. Fits, but this is a pretty tough crew for this level and he'll need his very best.