Top pick: #6 (MOONLIGHTNING) - Nice debut at Del Mar on August 25 saw this home-bred gelding by "Langfuhr" track a fast pace and hold strongly to finish third of eight, beaten just over a length. Working fast for his second outing and trainer Mike Mitchell wins at a 32% rate with runners making their second start. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Getting Lucky) - He raced evenly and wide at Del mar on Sept. 5 in his first back off almost a three month layoff. Nice to see "P. Val" aboard again and this gelding's experience make him a stretch threat.
3rd pick: #11 (Johnny Be Mine) - Debuting gelding by "Johannesburg" is working very fast for his first start and is in a winning barn (Jerry Hollendorfer 25% first out). Trainer reaches out to Marty Garcia for this and it's someone he rarely rides. If he runs to his drills the rest are in trouble.
4th pick: #1 (San Sebastian) - Gelding by "Point Given" put in a nice late rally to finish fourth of 12, beaten just over three lengths when debutin on Sept. 5 at Del Mar. Excellent second-out barn (Carla Gaines 24%) has worked him three times locally in the past 17 days so he'll show whatever he has this afternoon.