Top pick: #5 (BROTHER O'CONNELL) (3-1) - Lightly-raced and improving, colt is one of two entered by trainer Chris Clement and the pair race uncoupled. He has a speed/stalking style and tired late here after a wide trip at this level going 1 1/8th miles July 29. Can take this from his better post draw.
2nd pick: #3 (Thurgood) (5-2) - The second of the Clement pair, he's one of two entered in this contest that has won on this course in the past. Long-winded type rallied from far back to break his maiden here 13 months ago. Four-year-old ran fourth at this level here July 29 in his 2nd back from a 9-month layoff. He's making back-to-back starts for the first time since last summer and the longer distance today is not an issue for him.
3rd pick: #4 (East Bay Lodge) (6-1) - Grey gelding rallied from far back to finish second here at this level July 29. He was 2-lengths better than 'Thurgood' that afternoon, but received a very fast and contested pace to rally into. Can run all day, so this 11-furlong distance is not a problem.
4th pick: #2 (All Over Me) (4-1) - Speed/stalker exits the same last race as both 'Thurgood' and "East Bay Lodge.' He set a fast and pressured pace before tiring a bit in the final furlong. In shape and should be involved from start-to-finish.