Top pick: #6 (FIRE WITH FIRE) (7-2) - He ships back from Santa Rosa where he went wire-to-wire to win a small turf stakes on Aug. 4. race was his first since April 21st and should set him up nicely for this longer attempt. He finished third here a year ago in this stakes and that field was a better one than this. Grey gelding has a flexible style and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Lucayan) (7-2) - French import is from the same barn as "Fire" and he gives trainer Neil Drysdale a strong hand to play in this marathon G2 contest. Four-year-old kept very good company in Europe and won a Group 1 race at Longchamp in May of 2012. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Vagabond Shoes) (5-2) - The 11-furlong distance is no problem for this "long winded" Irish-bred veteran. Last out he rallied from far back to finish second on this course in the 9-furlong "Eddie Read" (G1). Working fast since, he's the probable favorite and is in the three-horse win mix.
4th pick: #4 (Old Time Hockey) (6-1) - Glen Hill home-bred is stringing starts together and has more early speed than most. He was less than a length back of "Lucayan" last out and will be a much bigger price than that rival.