Top pick: #4 (BASALT) - Colt was claimed at Saratoga by Mike Maker for $25,000 on Aug. 13 and showed little 18 days later when the new barn raised him in price and sprinted him on the grass. Freshened up since that Aug. 31 contest. He's working fast, goes turf to dirt, and drops well under the purchase price. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Shane Roars) - He's one of two New York-breds entered in here by trainer Dom Galluscio and the pair race as separate betting interests. Speed/stalker was a stakes winner as a 2-year-old, but did not bring his 2011 form with him into this year. Has the rail, drops to a new low, and is a win threat.
3rd pick: #2 (Raffie's Factor) - The second of the Galluscio duo, he's lightly-raced and tries winners for the first time. Speedy sort was an impressive maiden winner at Saratoga on Aug. 18 and has been freshened-up since.