Top pick: #3 (SHINOBI) (7-2) - German bred colt raced evenly at Belmont June 27 facing a bit tougher. Lightly raced, trainer Chad Brown drops him into a claimer, and has Castellano back aboard after a one-race absence. Brown has won with eight of his last 20 maidens (40%) when dropping them into claimers for the first time.
2nd pick: #1 (Burdines) (6-1) - Speedy sort 'won' last out at Belmont, but was disqualified and placed 3rd. He's racing second back from a long layoff and is stretching out in distance while moving up in class. Dangerous from on or just off the lead.
3rd pick: #10 (Mill Creek) (6-1) - 4yo is stretching out in distance and moving up in class. Son of 'Medaglia d'Oro' rallied to finish 2nd July 17 at Belmont going 7-furlongs for a $40K tag. He's been competitive facing tougher in the past and is racing second back from a 10 1/2 month layoff.
4th pick: #6 (Doc Curlin) (10-1) - He rallied to miss by a 'nose' when debuting at this tag going 8.5-furlongs at Belmont May 30. He had a lot of trouble and a wide trip in his follow up start June 27. Can factor today at a big price with a better journey.
5th pick: #7 (Fuhrious Warrior) (12-1) - Speed/stalker has been freshened up since finishing 3rd at this level going a mile at Belmont May 1. Capable of impacting with his best, but believe a minor award is his ceiling.