Top pick: #6 (STRATEGIC HOPE) - Gelding drops down in price following a even effort facing allowance foes on the grass here Aug. 13. Claimed by trainer Mike Pino in June for $40K, he runs him this afternoon for half of that price and will switch him to the main track and stretch him out in distance. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Dynamic Royal) - Working very fast for his first start since May 15, in only his second since early Dec. Has a flexible style and trainer Josie Carroll will drop this 4-year-old into a claimer for the first time. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Dr. Funkenstein) - Recent maiden winner has raced himself back into shape following a pair of long layoffs and has improved since his barn put blinkers on him for the first time in late July. Home-bred is in shape and can factor at a nice price as he faces winners for the first time.
4th pick: #1 (Powermouse) - Four-year-old has been competitive in both starts at this price and races today off a two month layoff and does so off a pair of useful works in late Aug. Has the rail, a flexible style, and can impact at a big price.