Top pick: #5 (MOHICAN CHIEF) (2-1) - Lightly raced grey gelding rallied to finish 3rd at this level and distance at Belmont July 10. It was his first race since early Oct. of 2013, and he was 'bumped' heavily at the break. Working fast here since, and he gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #10 (Grand Sky) (3-1) - $300,000 son of 'Sky Mesa' returns from a three month layoff as a NEW gelding. He's been competitive in two of three starts out of town and is meeting fellow New York breds for the first time. A major threat if able to avoid a wide trip from this post.
3rd pick: #8 (Gear Jammer) (20-1) - Best used as a stalker, he tired here July 27 after hard used after the break from an inside post. He's worked very fast twice since then and is a 'live' longshot.
4th pick: #7 (Bugle Blues) (10-1) - Improving gelding finished a solid 2nd here at this level going a mile Aug. 2nd. He had a cozy inside post that day and will not get the same easy trip against this tougher group. Still, he must be left under consideration.
5th pick: #4 (Talladega) - He had a very wide trip after breaking from a tough outside post here Aug. 2nd. To his credit, he did close to finish 3rd, 2 1/2 lengths behind 'Bugle Blues.' This field is tougher, and believe a minor award is his ceiling.