Top pick: #5 (CHOSEN EMPIRE) - Pay attention to this trainer (Nick Canani) at this meet as he's here for the first time and wins a lot of races wherever he runs. This gelding was claimed late in the Gulfstream meet for $30K and in his first for the new barn he set a track record for a mile on the Calder infield when winning by nine lengths. On the sidelines since that May 15th contest, trainer wins at a 34% rate off of similar breaks and this 6-year-old will win this if 100%.
2nd pick: #9 (Alfarabi) - He fits nicely at this level as has been competitive without winning facing slightly tougher. Working well locally for this and believe his trainer (Chad Brown) is going to have a big meet. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Deflationary Fears) - Price play has some fine early speed and comes into this fresh for trainer Rick Violette. He's raced well on the grass without winning and it's interesting to see John Velazquez aboard as he almost never rides for Violette.
4th pick: #7 (Liberty Cap) - Bred in Kentucky, he spent the first part of his career in England running mostly at "minor" meets while winning twice. He was competitive earlier this year in a pair of stakes in Florida and last out tired at Belmont. Blinkers go on today (a 27% winning move by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin).