Top pick: #5 (GOLDEN CENTS) (5-2) - Talented colt just failed to catch today's rival #7 "Big Macher" in the G1 "Bing Crosby" here going six-furlongs July 27. Only his second start since late November, and that ran his local record to 4-1-3-0. Working fast for this, he's making back-to-back starts for the first time in nine months, and the extra furlong he travels today is a big plus. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Fed Biz) (2-1) - He's undefeated (three for three) at Del Mar and is looking for a repeat victory in this stakes. One run type out-finished "Golden Cents" in last year's "O'Brien," and was an impressive 5 1/2 length winner here July 26 in the two-turn G2 "San Diego Handicap." Working very fast for this and is a win threat.
3rd pick: #7 (Big Macher) (3-1) - The unofficial top claim of the past year in California, he's gone 10-5-2-2 since Rick Baltas took him for $20K 13 months ago. Speed/stalker has gone 4-3-1-0 this year and won the G1 "Bing Crosby" here July 27. A half-length better than "Golden Cents" that afternoon, he's done well at this trip in the past (3-1-1-1), and is the main speed today.
4th pick: #8 (Indexical) (15-1) - Longshot gives away a lot of experience to the top three selections, but does have some talent, and could grab a minor award if one of those picks is sub-par.