Top pick: #8 (BIG BUSINESS) (2-1) - As tough as they come, this veteran has gone 17-9-4-1 on the dirt and enters off a career best figure when he was an easy winner at Belmont going a mile when facing weaker on June 28th. Stalker always brings his best and the only negative is this two-turn 1 1/8th mile trip which he's attempting for the first time.
2nd pick: #6 (Escapefromreality) (5-2) - Very lightly-raced and also very talented, this 4-year-old has only run three times since early March of 2013. However, he's gone 3-2-1-0 in those outings and was a gate-to-wire winner here at this distance in the $150K "Albany" stakes last August. He's won from both on and from a stalking spot, is training nicely, and must be considered a win threat.
3rd pick: #4 (Sailmate) - He's another that always comes with his best and has been just a notch or two below the best older New York breds over the past several years. Son of "Friend's Lake" has finished behind "Business" every time they've faced each other, but in three of those four contests was within a short range of that rival at the wire. He's run well on this main track in the past 4-0-2-1 and has been competitive in two of three at this demanding distance. Stretch threat.
4th pick: #1 (Fox Rules) (12-1) - Speedy sort ships from Finger Lakes where he's won three in a row, including a "game" score there in a $50K stakes on July 4th. Has the rail and think he can hold on for a small slice at a big price.