Top pick: #5 (NOBLE HUSTLE) (2-1) - He returns off almost a 100-day layoff a NEW gelding and taking a sharp drop in class. Stalker has some sharp works showing for his return and looks set for a big effort.
2nd pick: #7 (Magical Connection) (3-1) - Gelding by 'Flatter' raced both wide and evenly here in a grass sprint for a $40K tag July 29. Trainer Al Stall Jr. drops him in class, moves him back to the dirt, and stretches him back out in distance.
3rd pick: #9 (Green Gold) (5-1) - Colt by 'Street Boss' has been on the sidelines since early January at Gulfstream Park. He finished third when facing tougher there when last in action and has some fine works at Keeneland for his return. Trainer Wesley Ward drops him into a claimer for the first time and 3-year-old must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #1 (Bird Humor) (8-1) - Barn (Nick Zito) has had a terrible meet and that has been the case over the past 20 months. This Whitney home bred has a bit of speed and is racing second back off a short layoff. May grab a minor award with a bit of improvement.