Top pick: #1 (ULTIMO PRINCIPE) - Excellent race last out first off a Gary Contessa claim as this gelding stalked while wide, made a strong bid down the stretch and missed by a neck at this price-tag and distance. Has a maintenance drill since and today he draws the rail . The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Troop Support) - Has good early speed and runs second back off a 2 1/2 month layoff. Son of "War Front" finished third last ouy after setting a pressured pace and was just over 4 lengths behind the top pick at the finish. Trainer Steve Asmussen reaches out to noted "speed" rider C.C. Lopez today and he wins at a 40% rate when teamed-up with him. Win candidate.