Top pick: #11 (ASSOCIATE) - Nice maiden win at Belmont July 7 in his first race in just over five months. Colt by Canadian Champ "Wando" stalked the pace, bid when asked, and proved best with a late surge. Conservatively spotted in his first facing winners and he has enough positional speed to not let this post hurt his chances. The top pick, he's one of a pair entered by trainer Linda Rice and they'll race uncoupled.
2nd pick: #7 (Wee Freudian) - New York-bred missed by a nose facing "open" $20K claimers at Belmont June 19 and was claimed that day by Rich Schosberg. Moved into a state-bred allowance last out, he ran second in fast time to a good-looking winner. Contends today for the top prize.
3rd pick: #8 (D'oro Dancer) - The second of the Rice pair hasn't run since last October on the west coast. Son of "Medaglia d'Oro" is working average for his return and first ever on the grass. Rice wins at a 22% clip off of long breaks and it's of note that Dominguez is aboard.
4th pick: #2 (Running Tap) - He raced evenly in his only turf start June 15 at Belmont and was claimed that day by Bob Hess Jr. for $25K. Grey colt by "Tapit" ran evenly facing a tough starter-allowance crew on the dirt in his first for the new barn. Drops back down, moves back to the grass, and think he'll run well.