Top pick: #1 (SOUTHERN JOY) (9-5) - The probable favorite, he hails from the Maker barn and was an easy gate-to-wire winner here at this tag on April 7th. He has some back class, draws the rail, is 2-for-2 locally, and that last win was a career best overall.
2nd pick: #7 (Strong Appeal) (8-1) - He also has back class and will be taking a sizable drop in price and moving from dirt back to "poly." Gelding is (11-2-1-2) on synthetics and has a bullet 5-furlong work here five days ago.
3rd pick: #9 (Never Cross) (10-1) - In a winning barn (Joe Woodard) lightly raced 5-year-old hasn't faced the starter since August. He has more early speed than most and will run today in a claimer for the first time.
4th pick: #5 (Five Afleet) (4-1) - The type that can "run all day," he ships up from Texas in shape and gelding was an easy winner on this surface last October in his only previous local effort. Stretch threat.