Top pick: #1 (PREACHER'S BLUFF) (5-2) - Speedy and lightly raced colt comes here off a fourth place at Del mar facing tougher on Aug. 15th. He has the rail, drops to a new low, and runs third back off an 8 1/2 month layoff. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Nicholas M) (5-1) - Gelding took some betting action when debuting at Del Mar for a $20K tag on Aug. 15th. He was away "slowly" and raced wide while rallying to finish fourth of 12, beaten five lengths. Claimed that day by Mike Mitchell(215 off the claim), he's worked him three times since, the latest on the Santa Anita dirt. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Arizona Wildcat) (3-1) - Improving gelding come from Del Mar off a pair of sharp efforts, finishing second & third in a pair facing slightly weaker. Fits with this crew, and he's a win candidate if he takes to the conventional dirt.
4th pick: #2 (Attempt) (10-1) - Longshot has raced evenly in his first pair, and had to race wide in both. Trainer Don Warren brings him back in 12 days for this, and replaces apprentice Perez with journeyman Carreno.