Top pick: #2 (INK WELL) (5-2) - Nicely bred colt is moving from turf to dirt and dropping down to this $20K claiming price for the first time. Home bred by 'English Channel' has finished third in two straight, one each on grass and dirt facing tougher. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #11 (Stepsun) (7-2) - Lightly-raced and improving, he finished 5th of 10, beaten 4-lengths racing here for a $30K tag going 6-furlongs April 11th. A career best, it was his first since Oct 18 and first for trainer Phil D'Amato. Working well since, he draws a nice outside post at this distance, and it's noted he had some serious traffic issues last out.
3rd pick: #8 (Chutney) (6-1) - Lightly-raced colt hasn't shown much in either start, but both came facing much tougher Cal-bred Special Weights. He was away slowly in his debut, then raced very wide last out. Trainer Tom Proctor drops him way down in class, and if this 3-year-old has any talent it should show against this group.
4th pick: #1 (Screaming Tap) (20-1) - Big longshot has faced much better foes in all three starts. Grey son of 'Tapit' has been off slowly in two of those and lost his rider at the start in the other. Working well, he's another taking a big drop and gets a rider upgrade to Marty Pedroza.
5th pick: #6 (Lute It Up) (8-1) - Even-paced type hasn't run since March 26th and returns as a NEW gelding. He's finished fourth in three straight without threatening and is capable of getting a slice of this with a bit of improvement.