Top pick: #9 (IMSLOPOKERODRIGUEZ) (4-1) - Colt is named after his trainer (Rudy Rodriguez). Home bred by 'Tale of the Cat' had a strong debut at Churchill Downs May 2. He broke sharply, rated just off the pace, then rallied to finish second of 12, beaten a 1/2 length going 6.5-furlongs. Both the winner and third-place horses came back to score next out. Working steadily and he gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Making) (9-2) - One of three making their debuts, Godolphin home bred is working both fast and frequently for his first start. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is enjoying a dream meet (26-10-5-4) and has already won with several first-time-starters. If this son of 'Bernardini' runs to his works, the rest are in trouble.
3rd pick: #4 (Farraj) (5-2) - Grey son of 'Tapit' sold for $1,600,000 as a 2-year-old in training back in March of 2014. He debuts late in his 3-year-old season, so he must have had some setbacks. Working steadily for trainer Todd Pletcher (24% with debuting stock) and Castellano's presence is noted.
4th pick: #6 (Ideal Quality) (6-1) - Colt is also from the Pletcher barn and 4-year-old rallied to finish third when debuting at Monmouth July 31. He took no money that day and will need to do a lot better to compete with this well bred group.
5th pick: #3 (Liam's Prince) (20-1) - He ran evenly in his debut July 11 at Belmont. Colt had some traffic at the break and was forced into a wide tri. Working above average since, he runs off a private trainer change to Jeremiah Englehart (29% with new arrivals to his barn). May grab a share at a big price.