Top pick: #5 (DECIPHERING DREAMS) - Lightly-raced and talented gelding came up just a bit "short" here at this level and distance May 31st. Racing for the first time since late Sept. he tracked, bid, and weakened to finish fourth in a start he probably needed. Both of his wins have come second off an absence race and this afternoon Rick Dutrow has Dominguez aboard.
2nd pick: #2 (Isn't Love Just Grand) - Very consistent sort stretches out in distance after a pair of second-place finishes here, the latest coming May 20th when he just missed facing $20K "open" claimers going 7 furlongs. Strong factor this afternoon.
3rd pick: #3 (Rocky F) - Very lightly-raced 5-year-old hasn't run since last Sept. when he finished fourth here at this level and distance after having a pretty rough trip. Son of "Rock Hard Ten" has a new trainer (Seth Benzel) and both of this runners wins have come on this surface at this distance.