Top pick: #5 (PLAYING A JOKE) - Compettive gelding (17-6-3-3) drops back into a "straight" claimer for the first time since early Dec. when he was an easy winner going a mile at Gulfstream. He lost his rider at the break here on May 12th, then finished third last out at Penn National 11 days later. Grey 4-year-old has a fast work here June 9th and looks set for a big effort.
2nd pick: #2 (Street Haven) - Given the winter months off after his form went bad late in 2011, he's won 3-of-4 since returning and they've come off a trainer switch to Juan Serey. Last out he rallied from last to beat fellow Jersey-bred allowance foes going 6 furlongs and today faces "open" claimers going a mile. Veteran is capable at this distance and a win candidate.