Top pick: #3 (PURE ARISTOTLE) (7-2) - Gelding ships up from Tampa bay Downs where he ran a career best "figure" when winning a one-mile grass contest. It came in his first off a Maria Bowersocks claim, and he showed good early speed last fall at Keeneland sprinting on a similar surface. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Acclaim) (3-1) - Speedy colt had a lot of "promise" early in 2013 and went 5-1-2-1 at that time. He finished second to the talented "Verrazano" and ran third to the hard-hitting "Declan's Warrior" back then, but has not raced in 14 1/2 months. Sold privately, he's working nicely for his return, and is a strong win candidate if ready.
3rd pick: #2 (Heywoods) (4-1) - Old-timer is making back-to-back starts for the first time since last August and will be dropping in class and switching from turf to "poly." 7yo gelding by "Unbridled's Song" has the rail, is working fast, and has gone 19-2-5-5 here in the past.
4th pick: #4 (Niceandez) (12-1) - Colt obviously has physical problems, and will be racing for the first time since last July and for only the second time since Nov. of 2012. Speedy sort drops into a claimer for the first time and has done his best racing locally (3-2-1-0). A threat at a big price if ready.