Top pick: #6 (HOPE RESTORED) - She ships in from Arlington where she raced evenly in her last pair on the all weather surface there. Clearly is better on real dirt and they won't be racing at Hawthorne until the fall. Daughter of "Artie Schiller" had finished 2nd in three of her last five on that conventional dirt surface and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Merida City) - She chased and held down the place spot 20 1/2 lengths behind the "long gone" winner. Filly has been competitive in all three starst since being stretched-out in distance and should be again this evening.