Top pick: #5 (BROTHER BIRD) (6-5) - Clearly the class of the contest, veteran gelding hasn't raced since Dec. 21, but is training fast off-site and is in one of the best barns in the country (Mike Maker). Stakes winner has excellent early speed and will win this if ready.
2nd pick: #6 (Biker Boy) (6-1) - Very consistent old-timer has gone 22-6-7-5 over the past 20 months and he has a superb local record of 8-4-1-2. One-run type loves this distance (15-6-4-3) and is a very strong factor.
3rd pick: #2 (Practice Tee ) (5-1) - Since being claimed by the high-percentage barn of Brad Cox this veteran has won 5-of-8 starts. Veteran has a flexible style and has been freshened up since July 19th when he was winning his second in a row at Indiana Downs.
4th pick: #7 (With Excellence) (5-1) - Speedy Ellis Park invader has a fine local slate (9-4-2-2), and last out was an easy gate-to-wire winner. Filly ran against males that day and does so again this afternoon against a much tougher group.