Top pick: #4 (GRAND STRATEGY) - Gelding hasn't seen action since late Aug. when he was beaten a nose facing tougher at Saratoga. Training steadily for his return, he spent the winter in Florida getting ready and has been working fast on the training track at the "spa" for his first race in 10 months. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin wins at an excellent 30% rate off of long layoffs and this Four-year-old can win this if ready.
2nd pick: #7 (Controversial) - Away since Feb. of 2010 this home-bred by "Exchange Rate" has a bullet work from the gate here June 4th that suggests he's ready off a the long layoff. New York-bred may need one, but his latest work is too fast to ignore.
3rd pick: #11 (Caneros) - Races third off a long layoff, drops into a claimer, goes turf to dirt, and shortens up in distance. Speedy colt has been facing tougher right along and this drop should make him a win candidate.
4th pick: #12 (Afleet's Acclaim) - Son of "Afleet Alex" makes back to back starts for the first time and trainer Linda Rice will drop him down in price, cut him back in distance, and switch him back to the main track. Three-year-old just missed when debuting on the dirt at Aqueduct Mar. 18, and a repeat of that effort makes him dangerous.