Top pick: #1 (GOSPEL LESSON) - Speed/stalker ships in from Monmouth off a pair of impressive gate to wire wins and is nicely spotted in this starter-allowance. His overall record on real dirt is (14-4-4-1) and 4-year-old gelding by "Pulpit" is working nicely here for his first local appearance. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Five Afleet) - "All or nothing" type has won five of his 15 starts and has won two in a row racing on "poly." Latest as Keeneland was a career best and he was claimed that afternoon by Denis Roberson for $15K. He's won here in the past and is a threat if he holds his present form for the new barn.
3rd pick: #4 (Horned Frog) - Lightly-raced 3-year-old enters in career best form and still has room for upside. He's gone (4-2-1-0) since switching to the barn of Mike Maker and has become a better runner since blinkers went on. Win candidate.