Top pick: #4 (AFTER BELL) (5-2) - The probable favorite, well-bred gelding was claimed at Gulfstream in early April by Keith Lebarron for $35K and has been freshened up since. Originally with the powerful Darley Stable, 4-year-old by "Empire Maker" meets a ho-hum field and his new trainer wins at a 20% rate first off the claim.
2nd pick: #2 (Wellington Wizard) (5-1) - Colt raced very wide when debuting at Laurel in early Dec. facing special weights. Another son of "Empire maker" he hasn't raced since and trainer Tony Dutrow (24% 2nd time out) drops him into a claimer and adds blinkers. Working fast and a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Candy Mine) (7-2) - The field's most experienced maiden drops down out of special weight contests anf last out rallied to finish four here on May 3rd. Race was his first in seven weeks and he could grab a share with a small step forward.
4th pick: #7 (Fifth Storm) (15-1) - Grey gelding finished an even fourth when debuting here Feb. 10, but tired in his next start racing at this level. Freshened up since March 18th, trainer Cindy Reese adds both lasix and blinkers and will stretch him out around two-turns for the first time.