Top pick: #7 (TAKE IT LIKE A MAN) (2-1) - Lightly-raced colt ships from Keenelend where he defeated much tougher than this on April 17th when racing on their "poly" surface. Race was his first off a seven week freshening, a career best overall, and he's won on real dirt in the past. Well-spotted by a winning barn (Kellyn Gorder) and the horse to beat in what looks like a two-horse contest on paper.
2nd pick: #3 (Boy's Brother Bob) (7-2) - State-bred has a fine record on this surface (16-4-4-1) and is back in shape following a pair of layoffs. Veteran was an easy winner here on April 30th in his second back off a seven week break and he's a major threat to the top pick.
3rd pick: #1 (Hard Luck Monk) - He's 2-for-5 locally and will be running second off a half-year's layoff and ran evenly before tiring in his return effort here on April 23rd. Has the rail and can grab a share with his best.