Top pick: #8 (SUNNYSIDER) (7-2) - Improving noticeably of late, he ran well in both starts at the recently completed meet at Saratoga. Home-bred has fine early speed and comes off a solid pace-setting second place finish on Aug. 4th.
2nd pick: #12 (Downgoesfrazier) (3-1) - The possible favorite, he comes off a career best when finishing second at Saratoga on Aug. 12th. Fine performance came second off a series of layoffs, and it's nice to see this grey gelding stringing starts together.
3rd pick: #6 (Saltine Warrior) (5-1) - Lightly raced gelding chased the pace and held gamely to finish third at the "Spa" on Aug. 12th. He was two back of "Frazier" that afternoon in his first ever on the grass, and first around two-turns.
4th pick: #5 (A Better Tomorrow) (4-1) - Freshened up since an even effort at Saratoga on July 19, trainer Mike Maker has put some solid drills into this 3yo Ramsey owned gelding. Must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #11 (Ocala Jim) (15-1) - Longshot runs first off a Gary Gullo claim, and this lightly raced colt missed by a neck going seven furlongs on the Saratoga dirt for a $20K tag that afternoon. He's taken money in all three starts and was competitive here at this level and distance in his only previous turf race.