Top pick: #10 (SHACKLEFORD) - He's proven to be a top class runner and his only poor race since a near miss came in the Belmont Stakes (G1) where he found the 1 1/2 mile trip a bit beyond his ability. Fresh off a near miss in the G1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth July 31 and hs has a apir of sharp local drills in preparation for this attempt. The post is tough, but he has fine positional speed and the whole stretch the first time thru to get himself over. The top pick in a very contentious 134th renewal of the "Midsummer Derby"
2nd pick: #9 (Stay Thirsty) - He looked great when winning the G1 Jim Dandy and that effort confirmed that his narrow loss in the Belmont Stakes wasn't a fluke. Loves the surface(3-2-1-0), is training sharply, and just now is reaching his best after showing plenty of potential early in his career. The probable favorite and a win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Bowman's Causeway) - Longshot comes here off a near miss at Fort Erie in the $500,000 Prince of Wales S., the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. He has talent, is in the barn of Chad Brown, draws the ground saving rail, and can factor at a big price.
4th pick: #3 (Moonshine Mullin) - He surprised everyone when he finished second at long odds in the Jim Dandy here in his first race ever on real dirt. Has a bullet back at his home-base of Woodbine a week ago and can grab a share at another big price.