Top pick: #6 (YELLOW MOUNTAIN) (3-1) - The only 'jump' race on today's sheet. This gelding has been freshened up since May 9. Well bred 5-year-old has finished second in three of his four hurdle races and is from the barn of Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard. Irish bred has fine fla' speed and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Hooded) (9-2) - Lightly-raced 4-year-old by 'Empire Maker' finished second at 'Lexington' in Kentucky in his jumping debut May 17. It was his first since last Sept. and first in North America. In the barn of former steeplechase rider Cyril Murphy and a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Daddy is Dark) (5-2) - Another that's well bred, he was a decent turf runner and enters off a near miss at Monmouth racing at this level and distance over the jumps on June 19. Anything approaching that effort makes him a strong win candidate.
4th pick: #2 (North Star Boy) (6-1) - By far the best of this group in his turf racing days, 6-year-old makes only his second appearance over the hurdles. He had to be 'pulled up' that day after his rider broke an Iron early in the contest. Must be left in the mix.