Top pick: #4 (PUT IT THERE) - Colt comes off a sharp third-place finish here facing slightly tougher on Oct 5th in his first race since Aug. 3. Gelding pressed a fast pace and fought it out gamely before weakening in the last 1/16th. Colt likes the surface (6-2-0-2) and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Mr. Why Why) - He exits the same local Oct. 5 race as the top pick and gelding ran evenly while checking-in three back of that rival. Effort came in his first off a Mike Pender claim and a subsequent 7 week freshening. Blinkers go on and 3-year-old had a bullet half-mile drill from the gate a week ago, presumably with the "hood" in place. Very dangerous.