Top pick: #3 (SIMPLICITYGENIUS) (5-1) - He's taking a big drop in class for his second off almost a three-month layoff. Grey gelding hasn't shown much in three appearances facing tougher, but he's meeting a very weak looking group while trainer Phil D'Amato brings him back in 15 days for this attempt. May be a case of now or never on this circuit.
2nd pick: #10 (Dee for Dave) (9-2) - He's racing off a huge trainer change to Bob Diodoro (25% with new arrivals). Gelding finished a close up third last out at Los Alamitos and was involved from start-to-finish that afternoon. He draws a nice outside post and I could have easily made him the top choice.
3rd pick: #1 (Vartan) (4-1) - Lightly-raced 3-year-old has sharp early speed and breaks from the rail. He's finished second in two straight at this level and should be involved from start-to-finish.
4th pick: #2 (Desert Gem) (7-2) - Gelding is cutting back in distance after a very poor effort at Los Alamitos racing at this tag going a mile July 3. It was his first back from a four month break after being competitive in a pair facing tougher at Santa Anita. Can factor if he can turn it around this afternoon.