Top pick: #8 (SPURR ROAD) - The probable favorite pressed and weakened when debuting at Hollywood on July 7. Colt spent most of the race fighting his rider and trainer Bob Baffert drops him way down for his second appearance. Draws outside of the other speed and that's a nice place to be. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Del Mar Dude) - Nice effort here on "Opening Day" (July 20) as he raced close-up throughout and rallied late while racing wide to finish second. Race was his first in 9 months and trainer Pete Miller has worked him twice since. Draws a better post, makes back to back starts for the first time, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Half Dome Dude) - First time starter from the Mitchell barn is working fast and home-bred is with a trainer that wins at a 22% rate with debuting stock.
4th pick: #6 (Zombyslayermrdarcy) - He hasn't raced since October 31, but showed sharp early speed last year and his trainer (Mike Puype) remains on a nice roll since 2011 began. Working steadily, and a threat if ready.