Top pick: #5 (DYKER BEACH) (7-5) - He's improved noticeably since being claimed by Dave Jacobson for $30K last Nov. Gelding is cutting back a furlong after missing by a "neck" at this level going a mile at Belmont on July 9. Speed/stalker has worked twice local since then and has finished second in three of five starts on "off" tracks.
2nd pick: #6 (Charitable) (5-1) - Lightly raced and well bred, he moves way up in class after an impressive maiden win at Belmont at this distance on July 3. Claimed that day by Linda Rice for $40K, this son of "Malibu Moon" is nicely spotted, has room for upside, and is the only horse in here who has won at this trip.
3rd pick: #1 (Captain Toews) (8-1) - If you ignore his one race in a stakes, this colt has gone 4-1-1-2 in dirt sprints. Has the rail, is in shape, retains John Velazquez, and home bred is running third off a long layoff.
4th pick: #7 (Alysaro) (12-1) - He has some speed and has been freshened up since early June. He's finished within range in both starts at this level and was only two back of "Toews" when they met at Belmont. Trainer Chris Englehart adds blinkers, and this gelding has finished second in two of three on "off" surfaces.