Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (STRIKING SPEED) (5-2) - A lightly raced homebred, he's switching from grass to dirt, shortens up in distance, drops in class, and is making back-to-back starts for the first time. He draws well, and his trainer, Linda Rice, is having a very good meet. I give this 3yo a slight edge.
2nd pick: #4 (Breithorn) (3-1) - He's racing third back following a four-month break. This nicely bred colt finished 3rd here at this tag July 22 in his first-ever in a claimer. From the barn of Bill Mott, this son of 'Into Mischief' is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Seize the Day) (5-1) - A WinStar homebred, he sowed nothing here at this level going 8.5 furlongs on the grass July 26. However, he was racing off a 4.5-month layoff, and he broke in the air and slammed into the gate at the break. He moves to the dirt, shortens up, and is making back-to-back starts for the first time.
4th pick: #2 (Lost in Rome) (7-2) - This gelding has been competitive in four of five starts, and he finished 2nd here at this tag July 22. One run type gets a rider upgrade to Dave Cohen and must be left in the mix.