Top pick: #10 (AZAR) (3-1) - He's one of two sons of grass sire "Scat Daddy' entered by leading trainer Todd Pletcher, and the pair race uncoupled. This $300K purchase raced evenly from a tough outside post (11th of 11) when debuting in a 6-furlong turf sprint at Belmont July 19. He's worked twice since, and Pletcher (23% second time out) stretches him out in distance (25%). Can take this with an alert break.
2nd pick: #1 (Unbridled Daddy) (7-2) - The second of the Pletcher colts, he rallied to finish 4th in the same July 19 race as 'Azar.' Home bred was away slowly that day and did well once in stride. He was 1 1/2 lengths in front of his barn-mate that day and is also stretching out in distance. Win candidate with a better beginning.
3rd pick: #8 (Ekhtibaar) (5-2) - One of a half-dozen that are making their debuts, this Shadwell home bred is from the 'red hot' barn of Chad Brown. This son of 'Bernardini' has been in steady training here since late May and has a dozen published drills. Brown wins at a 22% rate first time out and has an outstanding record (28%) when debuting runners at a mile or longer.
4th pick: #4 (Tusk) (5-1) - Grey colt by leading sire 'Tapit' makes his debut off a long series of works at the Fair Hill training center. Home bred runs for Graham Motion (18% first out) and will be a big price with Delaware regular Alex Cintron in the saddle.