Top pick: #2 (VAL DE METI) (12-1) - 3yo by 'Malibu Moon' has shown good early speed in both starts facing special weights. He's making back-to-back starts for the first time, dropping in class, and is racing without blinkers. Gelding worked sharply here July 17 and can take this at long odds.
2nd pick: #11 (Gravity Force) (7-2) - The morning line favorite, he's been freshened up since finishing 2nd for a $75K tag June 4 at Santa Anita. Working very fast for his return, trainer Rich Baltas is dropping him down in class. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #10 (Blue Ratio) (10-1) - Grey gelding drops in class after a wide & even effort when debuting at Los Alamitos facing special weights July 3. He had a tough outside post that day and should be much more competitive facing claiming foes.
4th pick: #9 (Out of Mischief) (4-1) - Arlington shipper has taken betting action in all three starts and last out finished 3rd of 10 there facing tougher on an all weather surface. Grey colt should be competitive in this spot.
5th pick: #6 (Simplicityizgenius) (6-1) - NEW gelding is working steadily for his first since April 30. He tired that day going longer facing tougher and may grab a share with some improvement.