Top pick: #2 (OGERMEISTER) (4-1) - The combination of trainer (Wesley Ward) and international jockey (Frankie Dettori) won two races on yesterday's Opening Day card and they team up again with this lightly-raced 3-year-old. Gelding raced wide while chasing the pace and tired to finish 4th at Belmont on June 5th. Only his second since late Sept. and he was working sharply at Churchill before heading to Saratoga.
2nd pick: #1 (Sol the Freud) (10-1) - Longshot is stakes placed on this surface and broke his maiden on it last Aug. 2. Stalker has the rail, drops in class, and it's duly noted that John Velazquez is signed on.
3rd pick: #9 (Groupthink) (9-5) - The probable favorite, he went 4-1-2-1 last year as a 2-year-old and finished second on this course to "Sol the Freud" when debuting on Aug. 2. Stalker hasn't raced since breaking his maiden on Dec. 7 at Aqueduct, but is training sharply for his return. Very dangerous if ready.
4th pick: #5 (Handy Stan) (6-1) - Three-time winner moves up in class but he has sharp early speed and enters off a career best figure when winning at Belmont at this trip on June 4th. Freshened up since and a factor on the front end.