Top pick: #4 (ARE WE NOT MEN) (3-1) - He has a solid late kick and will be dropping into a claimer for the first time. Trainer George Weaver is having a strong meet and has this gelding working fast for his first since July 6.
2nd pick: #9 (Boss Man) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he's gone 10-0-3-3 on the grass and is another taking the drop into claimers for the first time. Stalker is in shape, the distance is fine, and home bred is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Double Whammy) (5-1) - Lightly raced, he runs off a seven-month layoff, and a private trainer change to Todd Pletcher. Colt cost $535K and is yet another dropping into the claiming ranks. His works are fine, and it's always a plus when "Johnny V" is on a Pletcher runner.
4th pick: #7 (Strueves Star) (8-1) - He has some early speed and is from a very "hot" barn (Phil Gleaves). He's racing second off a seven-week freshening, and he should be fit after racing in a nine-furlong "off the turf" contest July 28.
5th pick: #3 (Dividend) (10-1) - No speed type rallied while wide to finish fourth here at this level on Aug. 1. It was his first off a John Terranova claim, and this gelding should love this longer distance.