Top pick: #1 (Entry of 1-REACH FOR YIELD and 1a-PERMANENT CAMPAI) (5-2) - Well-bred entry with separate trainers as they are coupled due to common ownership. "Reach for Yield" is lightly-raced and is taking a big drop off an 80 day freshening. Son of "Curlin" is in a winning barn (Chad Brown) and races with blinkers on (29% for Brown). "Permanent Campaign" has fine early speed, is working well, and is trying the grass for the first time.
2nd pick: #8 (Captain Keon) (4-1) - Gelding chased while wide and held to finish third when racing at this level and distance on the Aqu. turf April 18th. Solid effort came off a five month break and was a career best overall.
3rd pick: #2 (In Speight Ofitall) (7-2) - Long-time maiden has gone 15-0-5-4 overall and is 4-0-2-1 on the grass. One-run type drops to a tag he's run well at in the past and has done so against tougher fields than this.
4th pick: #5 (Seldon Seen Slim) (6-1) - He continues to race evenly when facing special weights, so trainer Dave Jacobson will drop him into a claimer and move him to the grass, both for the first time. Beautifully-bred 3-year-old should improve with the changes.