Top pick: #10 (OSTROLENKA) (7-2) - Debuting home bred has been in steady training here since the beginning of July and had a very sharp half-mile gate breeze on Aug. 8. In the Pletcher barn (21% first out), and his main rider for many years (John Velazquez) is signed on.
2nd pick: #5 (Persuasive Devil) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he's been sharp in both starts and was probably best when beaten a 1/2 length here at this level going five-furlongs July 31. Son of "Closing Argument" was bumped "hard" at the break that day, and I think he would won have won with a "clean" getaway.
3rd pick: #11 (Saratoga Heater) (20-1) - He exits the same last race as "Persuasive Devil" and tired while chasing the pace while widest that afternoon. He's worked twice since and will get both blinkers and Napravnik added.
4th pick: #8 (Saint Joseph) (4-1) - Debuting son of "Flatter" is in the dangerous barn of Chad Brown (23% first out), and has worked four times here this month in preparation for his first public appearance.
5th pick: #7 (Wincoma) (12-1) - Grey colt has some fine local works on view, and first-timer will be a big price given his low profile human connections.