Top pick: #2 (SIDEPOCKET CHAMP) (5-1) - He was a sharp winner here May 2 facing slightly weaker going 7-furlongs. Stalker has some back class and is back in fine shape since returning from a 5 1/2 month layoff March 1. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (The Cleaners) (5-2) - Very quick from the gate, he just failed here at this level going 5.5-furlongs May 1. It was his first start since late July, and he draws the rail. A major threat to go wire-to-wire against this field.
3rd pick: #3 (Finallygotabentley) (4-1) - A stakes winner at Emerald Downs back in 2013, he recently came back from his third consecutive layoff. Stalker ran evenly here May 1 and was 3 1/2 lengths back of 'The Cleaners' that afternoon. It's nice to see him making back-to-back starts, and he could factor with some improvement.
4th pick: #6 (Alpine Luck) (2-1) - He's cutting back in distance and dropping back down to a level he's comfortable at. 4yo has finished second the last two times he ran at this $16K tag, and both came here. Must be left in the mix.