Top pick: #2 (PARAIBA) - Grey mare hasn't won since April of 2010, but it's not for the lack of trying. She's placed in several stakes since than and finished a strong second to today's rival "Gitchee Goomie" in the $100K Mt. Vernon S. at Belmont May 29. Latest saw her miss by a nose facing a nice group of "open" $50K optional claiming/allowance foes. Has the inside post and can stalk from close range and win this turning for home.
2nd pick: #3 (Gitchee Goomie) - As mentioned above she defeated "Paraiba" by a 1/2 length earlier this year at Belmont, and last out ran second at Philadelphia Park in a $200K stakes facing "open" company. Daughter of "City Zip" always trie her best and I almost made her the top choice. Very dangerous.
3rd pick: #9 (Chorus Music) - Consistent sort has run well here in the past without winning and comes into this off almost a two month break. She was a very easy winner at Belmont in her seasonal bow April 29, and last out a "troubled" trip in the Mt. Vernon to run third to the top two selections in here. Draws a tough post at this mile trip and will need some breaks for a shot at the win.
4th pick: #8 (Mystic City) - Much improved filly by "City Zip" was scratched out of yesterday's opener facing "open" allowance opposition to await this spot. Has fine positional speed and 4-year-old hasn't run a bad race since the fall of 2009.