Top pick: #2 (ELROI) (9-2) - Gelding was bred for turf success and broke his maiden on the Aqueduct lawn on April 19th in his first back from a 5 1/2 month layoff. Four-year-old followed that up by rallying to finish third here at this level going 8.5-furlongs on May 4th and did so despite a slow start. In shape, he has a fine inside post, and should love today's 10-furlong trip.
2nd pick: #9 (Morning Calm) (7-2) - $80,000 yearling by "Broken Vow" has spent his entire career out of town facing open company. Colt has faced some tough foes, has ability, and should factor in his first against fellow state-breds.
3rd pick: #7 (Balderdash) (15-1) - Longshot runs second back from a almost a 4 1/2 month layoff and showed a bit of a move forward in his latest. Fits with his best and grey colt broke his maiden here in late October. Price play.
4th pick: #6 (Mark Twain) (4-1) - Lightly-raced colt has improved dramatically since coming off a two month freshening in late March. He won his grass debut at Aqu. on April 19th, then rallied from far back to miss by a head here at this level in an off the turf contest May 4th. Three-year-old has a flexible running style and must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #3 (Papa Freud) (8-1) - Old-timer is making his 10th attempt to pick up his second win and ran well on April 11th at Aqu. facing open starter-allowance foes. It was his first in almost 4 1/2 months and earned him a solid figure that fits with these if repeatable.