Top pick: #6 (STEP ASIDE BOYS) (4-1) - Lightly-raced filly ships in from Philadelphia Park where she won a mile turf contest for Pa.-breds at the entry-level allowance level. It was her second victory in a row and earned her a career best figure. In a top barn (Graham Motion), working nicely for this at Fair Hill, and I like her chances.
2nd pick: #2 (Spring Reason) (5-2) - The probable favorite, Augustin home bred loves this surface (7-5-2-0), and was beaten a "head" here at this level and distance Aug. 19. It was her first back from a two month freshening and mare by "El Prado" is an obvious win candidate and I easily could have made her the top pick. View the top two picks as equals.
3rd pick: #4 (Perfect Praise) (9-2) - Filly has won more races (5) than any other entered and strong finisher moves up in class following a come-from-behind score when facing weaker here Aug. 17. In shape and the faster the pace, the better her chances.
4th pick: #3 (Now Hope) (7-2) - Daughter of "Tiznow" has gone 6-0-3-1 since relocating from the Southern-Cal circuit in early spring. She has a flexible style and may grab a share, but the top two selections are much more likely to take this.