Top pick: #10 (PAPACOOLPAPACOOL) (4-1) - He ships back from Penn National where he was beaten just over a length in the rich Penn Mile (G3) May 30. He broke slowly that afternoon and was forced into a very wide rally turning for home. Normally he has much more speed than shown that day and he was stakes placed on this course last summer. Gets a slight edge in a tough race.
2nd pick: #11 (Soul Driver) (9-2) - Strong finisher became a stakes winner June 20 at Santa Anita. Racing off a 3-month layoff, he rallied into a quick pace to win the $87K Singletary Stakes 'going away' by 4 1/2 lengths at this mile trip. A career best and an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Anytime Anyplace) (6-1) - Speedy colt was stakes place on the Santa Anita turf March 21. He was a winner there facing weaker June 26 going 'down the hill' in his first start since April 18. In shape, working fast, and must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #1 (Forest Blue) (8-1) - Speed/stalker has gone 3-1-2-0 on the dirt and is working fast for his first since May 30. Gelding finished 2nd last out at this trip at Santa Anita and is bred to enjoy the grass. Has the rail and can factor at a big price.
5th pick: #5 (Royal Albert Hall) (10-1) - English import finished 4th, 6 1/2 lengths back of 'Soul Driver' June 20. He had a very tough outside post (12th of 12) and was forced into racing wide the entire contest. Longshot draws much better and should get a quick pace to close into.