Top pick: #8 (CALL DADDY) (5-2) - Gelding has finished second in two straight facing tougher. Stalker is racing first off a Gary Gullo claim and a 7 week freshening. Three-year-old by 'Scat Daddy' drops a bit and should get a fast and/or contested pace to rally into.
2nd pick: #6 (Leflore County) (7-2) - NEW gelding ships up from Monmouth and is dropping down in class. One-run type chased and tired there facing tougher July 5 while in his previous start he was only a 'nose' behind 'Call Daddy' at Belmont June 10. It's noted that John Velazquez is aboard for this attempt.
3rd pick: #7 (Ettaman) (6-1) - Another NEW gelding, he also races with blinkers added. Lightly-raced 4-year-old is racing first off a Joe Sharp claim (31%) and the 'red hot' J.J. Castellano is aboard. One-run type should factor in today's finale.
4th pick: #11 (Tiz for Daddy) (5-1) - $120K son of 'Tiznow' is racing off a four-month layoff and taking a big drop in class. He was competitive in his debut at this trip, then tired badly in a follow up start going a mile. If he has any talent it will show against this group.
5th pick: #1 (Bird Humor) (10-1) - Whitney home bred has some speed and is dropping a bit off a seven week freshening. Barn (Nick Zito) has been 'cold' all year and is in a 'frigid' streak at this meet. This 3-year-old has some speed and may grab a share at a square price.