Top pick: #3 (SOUTHERN BLESSING) (7-2) - He raced evenly here facing tougher on a sloppy track July 28th. Lightly-raced son of "Dixie Union" bobbled at the start that afternoon and trainer Steve Asmussen drops him down from $50,000 to run for $25K. He gets a slight edge in a very competitive finale.
2nd pick: #4 (Whatabouthonor) (15-1) - Longshot ships up from Philly park where he rallied to finish a distant third when racing for a $35K tag. It was his first race since April 23rd, and jockey Abel Castellano Jr. comes north for the mount.
3rd pick: #9 (Cosmic Coincidence) (4-1) - He has early speed and is racing first off a Dave Jacobson claim. New barn drops him well under the purchase price, but that's not an unusual move by the top claiming outfit. Don't just dismiss.
4th pick: #8 (Staglamite) (10-1) - Freshened up since a sharp maiden win at Belmont on June 20th, gelding was much improved at that time and the figure earned in his first win makes him very dangerous if repeatable.
5th pick: #1 (Mister Popsicle) (20-1) - Longshot has the rail, some early speed, and is racing first off a Chris Englehart claim and a subsequent eight week freshening. Working fast and he may grab a share at a big price.