Top pick: #4 (UNMATCHED FORCE) (5-2) - The main speed, gelding ships down from Golden Gate Fields where he was very sharp in a pair of back-to-back starts on the Tapeta surface. Trainer Jeff Metz has him nicely spotted and this veteran has won on conventional dirt in the past.
2nd pick: #3 (Smart Ellis) (3-1) - Once classier type has raced poorly in four starts facing much tougher since coming off a 13-month layoff in May. It looks like trainer Rick Mandella has given up on him as he drops him way down in class. Can factor at this bottom tag.
3rd pick: #1 (Accelerant) (7-2) - He's racing first off an Adam Kitchingman claim and veteran has worked fast at Santa Anita following the barn change. He's one for three on real dirt and must be left in the mix.