Top pick: #1 (SENOR RAIN) (3-1) - Hard-hitting veteran has never won on the grass, but he was competitive here last December on this course facing much tougher. He ships down from Hastings Park off a narrow defeat in an allowance on the dirt, and stalker can take this from just off the lead.
2nd pick: #7 (Great Friends Rule) (7-2) - Win threat, grey gelding has the best early speed of this field, and has done well on the grass in the past (4-1-0-2). He'll be very tough, and I came close to making him the top choice.
3rd pick: #6 (Aerial Artist) (6-1) - He's gone 11-2-2-2 on the turf, and is 3-1-1-0 on this surface. Freshened up since late August, he's nicely spotted, and should get a fast pace to rally into.
4th pick: #2 (Scorcher) (8-1) - Son of "Kitten's Joy" raced well last out at Santa Anita going a mile at this tag. He's racing back into shape after being away 6 1/2 months, and has a pair of sharp recent works since his latest.