Top pick: #5 (ROYAL POSSE) (3-1) - He enters off a career best effort here July 24. Racing off almost a two month break at this level and distance, he rallied strongly to miss by a 'head.' Race was his first off a Rudy Rodriguez claim and he's worked him twice since. Gets a slight edge with Castellano staying aboard.
2nd pick: #1 (Readbythe Line) (7-2) - Speedy sort stretches out in distance and drops in class. Veteran has won going two turns many times in the past and he draws a great post to use his front running style from. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (All About Ashley) (6-1) - Consistent sort has gone 9-2-3-0 racing on dirt. Speed/stalker enters off a come from behind win at Belmont going a mile July 19. In shape and he's worked three times since that score. Three-year-old faces a much more experienced group and will need to do better to have a shot at the win.
4th pick: #7 (Beyond Empire) (3-1) - Distance loving 5-year-old finished 4-lengths behind 'Royal Posse' last out in his second back from a five month layoff. He likes it at Saratoga 3-1-1-1 and all three of his local starts have come at this distance.