Top pick: #1 (ROUND ABOUT) - Makes his first local appearance and in his first try at this $5K tag Aug. 19 at Penn National this 5-year-old by "Distorted Humor" finished a close-up third after racing just off the lead. Ships in for a very good barn, draws the rail, and has some back class to call upon. He's a re-claim by trainer Mark Shuman and that's always a good angle.
2nd pick: #5 (Keefer) - Son of "Smarty Jones" will stretch out in distance for the first time in his career this afternoon. He rallied to finish second at this price going 6 furlongs Aug. 23 and that's the best last out of any entered in this contest. Major threat to the top pick.
3rd pick: #8 (Mr. Soul) - Has a big class edge on this field, but is racing for only the second time since early Oct. 7-year-old ran evenly at Arlington Park in a sprint six weeks ago and he'll drop down into a career soft spot, stretch out in distance, and move from a synthetic surface to the main track. Two of his four wins have come on conventional dirt and he's a major factor if he avoids a wide trip.