Top pick: #3 (STORMIN LUTE) (2-1) - The probable favorite, colt missed by a 1/2 length when debuting at Hollywood facing tougher on May 11th. Freshened up since, trainer Bob Baffert has him working above average and drops him into a claimer. Barn wins at a 30% clip second time out and home-bred is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Di Conti) (5-1) - He's shown excellent early speed before tiring in his first pair facing better on both dirt and turf. Freshened up since June 27th, he's working fast, drops down, and switches to "poly" for the first time.
3rd pick: #11 (Hard Play) (6-1) - Gelding was eliminated at the break here at this tag Aug. 2 in his first off a seven week break and is brought back quickly by the Bonde barn. Blinkers are added and this 3-year-old was bet in his latest.
4th pick: #10 (Jimmy the Whip) (6-1) - Another with some speed, he's taken some cash in both starts and trainer Mike Mitchell has him making back-to-back starts for the first time. Price play.