Top pick: #1a (SOUPER LUCKY) (2-1) - Colt by "Giant's Causeway" comes off a near miss at Saratoga going 9 furlongs on Aug. 28 and has shown noticeable improvement in both starts since his debut. Working fine, he's coupled in the betting with No. 1 "Souperfast" and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Master Lightning) (4-1) - Colt by "Pulpit" is one of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and the pair race uncoupled. He finished a game second here when debuting on Sept. 8 going a mile and moves off the rail for this attempt. Barn wins at a 38% rate second time out.
3rd pick: #8 (Tightly Bridled) (15-1) - Longshot showed noticeable improvement in his second outing and son of "Unbridled's Song" is working nicely for this appearance. It's of note that he was bet heavily in his debut and can factor today at a square price.
4th pick: #3 (Village Warrior) (7-2) - The second of the Pletcher pair, colt rallied to finish second when debuting on a sloppy surface at Saratoga on Aug. 31. He broke poorly that day and is a threat with a clean getaway.