Top pick: #1 (LUCKY CHAPPY) - Irish-bred colt has a very strong closing kick and comes into this off a sharp second-place finish in the $500K Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs July 21st. The winner that afternoon, "Silver Max", would be the heavy favorite if entered here. Race was this colts first in almost four months and he's been training nicely at Fair Hill since.
2nd pick: #5 (Excaper) - He's (6-1-4-1) on the grass and comes here from Woodbine off a sharp win facing older runners in an allowance contest on July 29th. Grey colt by "Exchange Rate" ran second last Nov. at Churchill in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and his stalking style fits this field. Dangerous opponent.
3rd pick: #3 (Unbridled Command) - Speedy New York-bred is (6-3-1-2) on the grass and comes off a carer best when winning on this course over weaker on August 1st. Don't just dismiss.
4th pick: #4 (King Kressa) - Another New York-bred, he's gone (5-3-2-0) in the turf and lightly raced gelding is still improving. Price play in the same race exotics.