Top pick: #4 (OFF THE DEEP END) (5-2) - Lightly raced gelding has been sharp in both starts to date. Speedster was an impressive gate-to-wire winner when debuting on the Santa Anita dirt June 6, then missed by a "head" following a "stumbling" start at this level racing on the grass there on June 29. Working fast locally for this attempt, and a bullet half-mile breeze on July 17 signals his readiness.
2nd pick: #6 (Presiding Justice) (4-1) - One of two entered by trainer John Sadler, he's a "neck" & a "head' short of being undefeated in three starts. Strong finisher moves off the rail, is working steadily, and will be trying a synthetic surface for the first time.
3rd pick: #7 (Magna Warrior) (4-1) - Gelding has been freshened up since breaking his maiden on the Santa Anita dirt June 8. Working fast since, stalker is yet another racing on a "poly" track for the first time.
4th pick: #1 (Grand Humor) (7-2) - Like the other three selections, this speed/stalker is racing on a synthetic based track for the first time. He has the rail and missed by a "nose" at this level on the Los Alamitos dirt July 5. He should be involved from start-to-finish.