Top pick: #1 (DANNY NEWMAN) (2-1) - Consistent grey gelding has only been sub-par in two of 12 starts dating back to last October and enters off a career best when finishing second here at this level on Aug. 6. He has the rail, a flexible style, races with blinkers on, and Carmouche stays aboard.
2nd pick: #4 (Slinger) (5-2) - Since being claimed by Keith Lebarron for $10k in early May, this gelding by "Hard Spun" has gone 5-2-1-2 and last out was only a neck back of "Newman." Speed/stalker is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Sewanee) (3-1) - Well-bred 4-year-old comes off a win here at this distance racing for a $16K tag on Aug. 13 as he cleared the 3l condition. He fits with his best, but this crew is tougher than he defeated last out. Can factor, but he needs to step it up to handle the top pair.