Top pick: #12 (RESTRIKE) (5-1) - Lightly-raced gelding cost a hefty $285,000 as a 2-year-old in training in March of 2014. He's been a disappointment, but enters off a good effort racing on the Santa Anita turf for twice this price June 14. Involved in quick and contested pace, he held his position until the final 1/16th of a mile. Trainer Doug O'Neill drops him in half, switches him from grass to dirt, and removes his blinkers.
2nd pick: #8 (Stellar Act) (9-2) - Even-paced type ships back from Golden Gate Fields where he disappointed as the favorite racing at this tag on the turf. Trainer Keith Desormeaux shortens hi up in distance and has him running on conventional dirt for the first time.
3rd pick: #11 (Pippappy) (3-1) - Colt rallied to finish second at this tag and trip when debuting at Santa Anita June 19. It was a small field (7) and his final time was 1:25 flat. Contends today, but will need to run faster.
4th pick: #7 (Bananappeal) (6-1) - Four-year-old has been competitive in all three starts since returning from a 13-month layoff on May 9. Last out he checked in third of 10, beaten 1 1/2 lengths going 6-furlongs on the Los Alamitos dirt. He's worked fast here since and must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #4 (Ink Well) (8-1) - NEW gelding goes turf to dirt and shortens up in distance. He's been competitive several times facing tougher and has more early speed than most entered.