Top pick: #2 (DYNAMITE RIDE) (3-1) - Stalker drops slightly after finishing 2nd at this distance June 18 at Santa Anita racing for a $32K claiming price. His lone win came here last November, and 3yo gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Tiz Jolie) (5-1) - He rallied up the inside last out to check in 3rd, a length off of 'Dynamite Ride.' It was his second back from a seven week break, and he's won at a higher claiming price in the past. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Mr Cartagena) (7-2) - Lightly raced and well bred, colt by 'Pulpit' broke his maiden June 6 at Santa Anita going 7-furlongs for a $20K tag. Claimed that day by Vann Belvoir, 3yo finished 4th of nine, beaten 3-lengths on turf facing high-level starter-allowance foes June 27 in his first for the new barn. They drop him back down, move him back to the dirt, and send him a bit longer.
4th pick: #4 (Afleet in Time) (5-2) - One of two entered by trainer Doug O'Neill, and the pair race uncoupled. The morning line favorite, he has some back class, but his lack of early speed is not a plus in this small field. Unless the pace is fast and/or contested, a small slice is his ceiling.