Top pick: #1a (STRONG IMPACT) (4-1) - Stakes winner has been freshened up since finishing a close up third in a $100K grass sprint at Saratoga on July 20. Old timer has won more races on this course (eight) than the rest of the starting field combined (four), and two of those have come at this seven-furlong trip. Stalker gets a slight edge, but make sure you reverse your exacta plays.
2nd pick: #4 (Za Approval) (8-5) - The clear "class' of the field, multiple "Graded" stakes winner has not been nearly as sharp this year as in the past, and trainer Chris Clement is giving him some class relief this afternoon. Working fast for his first since July 19, this million dollar earner is an obvious win threat, but at a short price.
3rd pick: #7 (West Hills Giant) (12-1) - New York bred moves back to the turf following a pair of sharp efforts in dirt stakes at the "Spa" against fellow state breds. Working fine, and in June of 2013 he won a $100K stakes on this course at this distance.
4th pick: #2 (Fredricksburg) (2-1) - Very much improved since last Dec., he ships in from Monmouth where he ran second on July 27 in a G3 stakes going 8.5-furlongs. A contender, but home bred by "Speightstown" has never before tried this "tricky" seven-furlong distance.