Top pick: #1 (WISE DAN) (4-5) - He's returned after winning last year's "Breeders' Cup Turf Mile" with three wins in 2013, the latest pair coming on very wet grass courses when he wasn't at his best. Six-year-old won this stakes last August and is now 7-for-8 at this mile trip. Has the rail, and the other riders will do their best to keep him boxed, but is still the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (King Kressa) (6-1) - Always the main speed when he runs, New York-bred has really stepped up his game of late. Last out went wire-to-wire at Belmont when winning the "Poker" stakes (G3) at this distance in an "eye-popping" 1:33.60. Working fast since and is very dangerous in this field full of one-run types.
3rd pick: #3 (Za Approval) (8-1) - Live Oak home-bred ships back dfrom California where he finished second to front-running specialist "Obviously" at Hollywood park on June 29th in the (G1) "Shoemaker Mile." Grey gelding always comes with his best and has an outside shot at a big upset.
4th pick: #7 (Lea ) (5-1) - Very lightly-raced Claiborne home-bred is 6-3-2-1 on the grass and was impressive on this course last year when going back-to-back facing weaker. Colt finished second last out to "Dan" at Churchill and has the second best speed of this field. Must be left in the mix.