Top pick: #6 (STRAWBRIDGE) (7-5) - Colt is named for Augusstin Stable owner George Strawbridge and is owned and conditioned by his long time trainer (Jonathan Sheppard). The two have been together since the mid-60's and Sheppard won a race last week at Saratoga, the 46th consecutive year that he's won at least one race at the 'Spa.' This lightly-raced colt ran second here at this level and distance July 22 in his first ever on a synthetic surface. He's worked four times since and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Hope is Best) (2-1) - Speedy gelding moves back up in class after missing by a 'neck' here Aug 3 racing for a $25K tag. He's now run second in four of his last five starts and should be in this from start-to-finish.
3rd pick: #3 (Grand Slam Kid) (8-1) - Long-time maiden makes his first start on a synthetic surface. Four-year-old has finished second in 9 of 15 starts racing on dirt and speed stalker draws the rail and runs with blinkers on. Dangerous if he takes to the new footing.