Top pick: #1a (SLAN ABHAILE) (7-2) - Originally part of a Dave Jacobson trained entry, he's decided to let this one go it alone. Gelding has won two of his last three starts out of town and was especially sharp when winning at Monmouth Aug. 8th. Stalker is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Regulus) (3-1) - Speed/stalker was a sharp winner at this distance at Belmont racing for twice this tag May 17. He tired here at the same tag going seven furlongs in follow up race July 25. Veteran did not break cleanly that afternoon and should be in this from start-to-finish as he drops in class and cuts back in distance. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Bulldozer) (8-1) - Longshot raced both wide and evenly in the same last race as 'Regulus.' It was his first back off a pair of layoffs, and he worked a bullet half-mile here Aug. 13th. Drops, has the rail, and he's making back-to-back starts for the first time since this past winter. Price play.
4th pick: #4 (Bellarmine) (4-1) - A stakes winner earlier this year at Delta Downs, he ships in from Presque Isle Downs where he tired going a mile on the all weather surface. He's dropping in class, and trainer Joe Sharp has Castellano aboard. Must be left in the mix.