Top pick: #6 (VAL DE METI) (12-1) - Long shot has early speed and is racing third back off almost a nine month layoff. Three-year-old gelding by 'Malibu Moon' had some traffic issues here July 23 and has worked well since. Trainer Mark Glatt drops him to a new low and 3-year-old has a shot at a big price.
2nd pick: #11 (I'll Play My Hand) (5-1) - Un-raced since June 14 of 2014, lightly raced colt returns with blinkers on and racing first off a Phil D'Amato claim (25%). Three-year-old showed good early speed the last time he ran and is a win threat if ready.
3rd pick: #4 (Papa's Playboy) (3-1) - The morning line favorite, he's finished second in two straight and was beaten a 'nose' her in the slop at this tag July 19. Much improved in his last pair, stalker is a serious win candidate this afternoon.
4th pick: #8 (I'm Zonin) (5-1) - Another with some early speed, he's dropping to a new low and racing second off a 7-week break. Working fast at Los Alamitos and he's capable of impacting with some improvement.
5th pick: #2 (Southern Loyalty) (7-2) - He ships back from Louisiana where his form was poor in a series of starts at Evangeline Downs. He had run much better at Santa Anita in the spring and could factor in his return to the west coast.