Top pick: #5 (SMOKE POLICE) (7-2) - Well bred colt is racing second back off almost a three month layoff and first off a Terri Pompay claim (3 for her last 10). Four-year-old by "Hard Spun" finished third here on the grass racing for a $20K tag the day he was taken. Pompay raises him slightly, moves him from turf to dirt and shortens him up in distance. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Orchlee) (9-2) - Lightly-raced grey gelding runs first off a Mike Trombetta claim. Four-year-old by "Exchange Rate" has raced evenly in his first pair sprinting on the turf. New barn has worked him three times since the claim and switches him fro grass to dirt.
3rd pick: #2 (Giant Slayer) (3-1) - When last in action this gelding finished second in the Belmont Park mud on Sept. 21 racing for a $40K tag. Four-year-old by "Giant's Causeway" has a new trainer (Joe Orseno) and he drops this $135K purchase down to a new low in his return.
4th pick: #3 (L.A.Freeway) (5-2) - He raced evenly here going a mile at this claiming price Feb. 16. He bobbled slightly at the break and had to run 4-wide. It was his first start since May 1st and he probably need the effort. Barn shortens him up and he should factor with normal second-back improvement.