Top pick: #2 (SWEAT SHOP) - Gelding by "Grand Slam" ran a big race when finishing third June 26 at Belmont. He was beaten only a 1/2 length at this level in his first back off a 19 month layoff. Has a pair of nice drills at Fair Hill in Maryland and is the horse to beat in a good betting race.
2nd pick: #4 (Mystic Fever) - He's run strongly in his two starts when in for a tag on the turf and his veteran trainer (Carl Domino) reaches out to his "go to" rider Ramon Dominguez. They've won with 10 of 30 runners when teamed-up over the past two years.
3rd pick: #9 (Avenging) - Drops off a fine try at Delaware facing tougher and this Maryland-based barn (Tom Voss) always wins some races at this meet.
4th pick: #8 (Bird Empire) - Pulled-up and "vanned-off" last out at Churchill he shows no works since that July 4 race and will take a big drop this afternoon. Tough call, but based on his prior form he must be left in the mix.