Top pick: #1a (MOONLARK) - Career best effort came last out in his first back off a half-year's layoff, first off a trainer switch to Bob Baffert, and first ever on a synthetic. Speed/stalker is working fast since and is the horse to beat this afternoon.
2nd pick: #4 (Rauschenberg) - He stalked and rallied last out to wear down the top pick for the place spot in the last few strides. Race came off a 5 month break and he'll be making back-to-back starts for the first time. Contender
3rd pick: #6 (Lone Justice) - Well-bet in his first pair he had problems at the start of both and raced well once in stride. Runs off a 5 month layoff, a trainer switch to Jorge Periban, and gelding is working fast locally. Price play in the same race exotics.