Top pick: #6 (FANTASTIC MIZZ) (8-1) - Grey mare set/pressed a swift pace and tired late to finish third racing on the Santa Anita turf on June 14. Nice effort came fresh off a Julio Canani claim, and this 5yo has since come back with a fast local five-furlong breeze. I like her chances.
2nd pick: #7 (Master the Blues) (9-2) - Mare ships in from Presque Isle Downs where she's won two in a row sprinting on a similar surface. Speedy sort is five for seven this year and is nicely spotted in her West Coast debut. Fits on "figures," has a sharp local work, and she's won at this distance in the past. Almost made her the top choice.
3rd pick: #3 (Irish Presence) (5-1) - Stakes placed filly is hurt by her lack of any early speed. Strong finisher is racing second off a seven week break and is switching from dirt to "poly." She's done well on synthetics in the past (8-2-2-0) and would love a fast and/or contested pace to develop.
4th pick: #8 (Lady Asano) (3-1) - The class of the field, she's taking a drop in class and moving from turf to "poly." She does have a win on a synthetic surface in the past and is a contender, but will be over-bet in this spot.