Top pick: #4 (MALIBU GEM) - Mare had a nice tune-up for this when she raced just off the pace before tiring during the stretch run of a mile grass contest here facing special weight foes just 13 days ago. Race was her first since June of 2010 when she finished 2nd in a dirt sprint in Louisiana. She'd trained sharply for her return and I like that they're bringing her back on short notice, dropping her down, and running her in a main-track sprint.
2nd pick: #2 (Cat Ferrad) - Speedy mare goes off a 100 day break and trainer Kate O'Connell ( who already has 7 winners at this meet) is droping her into a claimer for the first time. Daughter of "Stormy Atlantic" has spent her entire 5 race career facing better and is a win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #5 (Glass Bottle) - Home-bred is a half sister to several fine runners including the stakes winning Meadow Gem (4 wins $208K in earnings). She has several fast works inter-spersed among others of the stamina building type. Can factor first out.