Top pick: #2 (EAGLE STRIKE) - Ran a huge race here on opening Saturday and was only beaten a 1/2 length at this level and distance. He's come back with a pair of solid works for his "Hall of Fame" trainer Bobby Frankel and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Schneerson) - Son of "Elusive Quality" did not start until he was past 4 1/2 years-old, but left a favorable impression here on August 1. $900,000 colt sprinted clear after a pace battle and weakened slightly in the last 1/16th to finish third, beaten by less than a length. Win threat.
3rd pick: #3 (Soda Jerk) - Tired late in the same race as the top pair to finish a close-up fourth. Race was his first in almost two months and he's worked sharp since. Can contend for the top spot.