Top pick: #1 (OPPORTUNISTICALLY) (3-1) - Home bred takes a huge drop in class for his second lifetime start. Gelding by "Birdstone" was never involved in his debut sprinting here against fellow Pa.-bred special weights July 30th. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard has worked him four times since and 3-year-old meets a very weak field.
2nd pick: #3 (Papamac) (4-1) - Gelding has been racing evenly while sprinting against tougher. Capable barn (Joe Martin) has him take the same drop as "Opportunistally" and has him attempting a two-turn trip for the first time. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Nine Iron) (7-2) - The field's most experience runner, speed/stalker has done well locally 8-0-3-3 and is 4-0-1-2 at this distance. Fits and should be involved from gate-to-wire.
4th pick: #6 (Judge Hassell) (9-2) - Lightly-raced, he's been somewhat competitive in all three and may grab a minor award with a bit of improvement.