Top pick: #2 (CHEROKEE EMPIRE) - He finished an even fourth last out facing starter-allowance opposition in his first vs. winners. Previous effort saw him break his maiden with style at Laurel going seven furlongs. Drops and stretches-out in distance, but this is only a furlong farther than his maiden score. Good barn (Graham Motion) has him properly spotted today.
2nd pick: #4 (I'll Buy) - He'll make his first start on conventional dirt after racing on the Woodbine "poly" and also goes first out for Scott Lake (always a strong winning angle). Drops into a 2l condition and he's a win candidate if he takes to the surface.