Top pick: #9 (CHANNEL MARKER) (3-1) - Lightly-raced 4-year-old ships from Churchill where he rallied to just miss going a mile on the turf in an entry-level allowance. Race was his first back from a pair of layoffs and he's nicely spotted today as trainer Al Stall Jr. shortens him up in distance.
2nd pick: #3 (Decisive Move) (6-1) - Speedy sort was claimed off an easy win sprinting on the Belmont grass on June 6th by Jay Servis. New trainer is excellent first off the claim (30%) and this 4-year-old won here almost a year to the day in 2012. One of two with a local win, and a threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #7 (Warrior James) (10-1) - The main speed of this group, he just failed last out at Belmont sprinting for a $35K tag on June 30th. Lightly raced, still improving, and a major factor if he gets an uncontested early advantage.
4th pick: #2 (Isn'tlovejustgrand) (8-1) - He has three wins on this surface with the rest of the field having a total of just one. Strong finisher fits, has the ground-saving rail, and is a late threat with a "clean" trip.