Top pick: #8 (GEM FOR THE HOOK) - Trainer (John Kimmel) has been red-hot over the past three days having sent out five winners. This fily chased the pace at this distance on August 13, and held well for the place. She's worked sharply since and comes back quickly for this (18 days).
2nd pick: #2 (By the Sky) - Firster by a good, win-early sire: "Sky Mesa" is in a barn (Barclay Tagg) that has had a very solid meet (38-8-3-3). Great gate drill on August 20, signals that she's ready to go.
3rd pick: #5 (Vintage Tough) - Ships in from Finger Lakes for a veteran trainer (Mike Ferraro) who always has a high win percentage. Works are much better than average and Albarado is enlisted.