Top pick: #3 (BEAST OF BOURBON) (2-1) - Lightly-raced gelding was reclaimed last out by trainer Ron Ellis after losing him for one race. Much improved in his last pair, he moves up slightly in price and comes off a career best when he just missed on July 31st when racing for a $16K tag. Ellis has his "go to" rider Victor Espinoza aboard and I like this 3-year-old's chances.
2nd pick: #4 (Hunger) (3-1) - Speed/stalker stretches out after a wide and even effort here in a 6.5 furlong sprint on July 14th. Race was his first back from a six week freshening and he's working very fast for this attempt and has blinkers added. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Hardliner) (5-2) - Lightly-raced gelding by "Rock Hard Ten" comes off a near miss here at this tag and trip on July 24th. It was his first for trainer Pete Miller and his first on a synthetic surface. Must be left in the mix.