Top pick: #9 (FEAR THE BEARD) - He's finished second in two straight since dropping down to this price and will be cutting-back a bit in distance after going 8.5 furlongs here a month ago. Colt by "Chapel Royal" has a near bullet 3-furlong brezze on this surface eight days ago and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #10 (Rass Stone) - First-time starter by "Najran" has a solid series of works showing and is in a barn (Mike Puype) that can have one ready when debuting.
3rd pick: #11 (War Politics) - Looks all set to be competitive as he's raced evenly in his first pair and will be dropping back down, going turf to "poly," and cutting-back a bit in yardage. Contends for the top spot today.