Top pick: #12 (NEXT BOOK) (7-2) - Gelding is stretching out a furlong and dropping in class for this assignment. Speed/stalker comes off a wide and even fourth place finish here facing tougher on Aug. 10 and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #11 (It Is Living Water) (9-2) - He also finished fourth last out in his first back from a two month freshening. Claimed that day by Pete Miller (19%), he moves in up in class on a three week turnaround.
3rd pick: #10 (Bitter Heat) (6-1) - Grey gelding rallied to finish 2nd here when debuting for a $20K tag on Aug. 10. Claimed that afternoon by Mark Glatt (25%), he's worked him fast since and moves him up to run for a $50K tag.
4th pick: #9 (Smokey's Legacy) (5-1) - Nice debut here July 18th saw him rally while wide to check in second of 12, beaten 3 1/2 lengths racing for a $20K tag. He's worked twice since and trainer Bob Hess Jr. has had a very strong meet.
5th pick: #6 (Divine Vision) (15-1) - He tired after racing close up in his debut facing just a bit tougher. Trainer John Sadler has worked him twice since and it's apprentice Van Dyke off and Talamo on. Price play.