Top pick: #2 (MINT'S SPIRIT) (4-1) - Home-bred ships in from Penn National where she chased a fast pace and weakened when debuting there on July 20th when facing Pa.-bred special weights. She's worked fast since, drops into a claimer, is in a solid second-out barn (Bernie Houghton 22%), and jockey David Cora makes the journey with her.
2nd pick: #1 (Golden Bucket) (8-5) - Obvious contenter has excellent early speed and draws the rail. This is her first local start since finishing second here in her debut on April 15th, and that race produced a career best figure. Has the rail, Carmouche is aboard, and filly is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Coco Storm) (9-5) - She's one of two entered by trainer Mark Salvaggio and the pair race uncoupled. Improving filly comes off a career best when she finished second at Penn National on July 27th and was 1 1/2 lengths clear of "Bucket" in that "off the turf" contest. She completes the three-horse win mix.