Top pick: #9 (PORFIDO) (7-2) - Veteran Chilean-bred was claimed last out by Dan McFarland for $25K, no doubt with this race in mind. Race was his first in two months and 11-year-old has since come back with a pair of sharp local works. Classier type is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Blast Em) (9-2) - The type that can "run all day," he has an excellent record on this course (18-6-1-8) and can be placed just about anywhere early on by rider Ryan Eikleberry. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Fox in the House) (5-1) - Another who never seems to tire, he finished second two back here in a $28K stakes going 12 furlongs and will have no problem handling this rarely run 15-furlong trip. In the mix.
4th pick: #7 (Flexiplus) (4-1) - He's lightly raced compared to the top thrre picks, but loves this course (8-3-2-1) and just missed in his latest going 11 furlongs. He'll be closing fast.
5th pick: #1 (Layover in Seattle) (5-1) - He gives away a lot of experience to the other selections, but comes off a solid fourth-place finish in a $35K stakes on April 6th. That was a career best and he's worked fine since.