Top pick: #1 (LOOKIN AT LUCKY ) - The Preakness(G1) winner wisely skipped the Belmont (G1) after a busy second half of '09 and four starts this year. His two best efforts have come on conventional dirt (like he races on today) and this son of "Smart Strike" is working fast for trainer Bob Baffert. Colt draws the rail and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Our Dark Knight) - He's only one of two entered with a win on this surface and he did so last out in the best effort of his six race career. Never worse than second (6-3-3-0) and he's still improving. Working fast up at Saratoga for this and he's in a barn (Nick Zito) that knows how to win big races. Dangerous foe.
3rd pick: #8 (Trappe Shot) - Gets an "acid" test today after reeling off four in a row. Speed/stalker won the "Long Branch" here July 10 and has a big work at Saratoga since. Obvious win candidate.