Top pick: #6 (SMART MOON) (3-1) - Son of 'Malibu Moon' sold for $500,000 last Sept. as a Keeneland yearling. Colt has been training very fast for his debut, initially in Kentucky and more recently here at the 'Spa.' Trainer Mark Casse is capable first out and his main rider Shaun Bridgmohan is aboard. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Wingman) (5-1) - This colt sold as a weanling at Keeneland for $300K in Nov of 2013. He has some quick works on view that are among several others of the stamina-building variety. Veteran Mike Hushion is calling the shots and this Broman owned juvenile looks set for a competitive first outing.
3rd pick: #4 (Economic Model) (7-2) - Trainer Chad Brown has already bagged nine wins at the meet including several stakes. This son of 'Flatter' has been working steadily here since the local training track opened in early May. He has a dozen published drills for a trainer that wins a 21% clip with debuting stock.
4th pick: #9 (Set the Trappe) (8-1) - He sold for $300K right here at Saratoga a year ago at the annual yearling sales. Working above average, he's trained at Churchill Downs, Fair Hill, and has a pair of sharp local breezes since shipping here. The presence of Castellano suggests the barn (Tony Dutrow) likes his chances.