Top pick: #3 (PUTYBADSHARK) (2-1) - Freshened up since late July, speed/stalker is working well locally and is dropping into a career soft spot. She's gone 6-1-1-1 on real dirt and all have come facing better. Takes this if ready.
2nd pick: #1 (Ninnavee) (6-1) - She's a pro racing in abbreviated sprints 6-2-2-1 and enters off a career best figure when winning at Ferndale at this trip Aug. 15. Very fast from the gate, she draws the rail and is a win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #4 (Hugger of Trees) (3-1) - Blinkers go on and trainer Bill Spawr drops this lightly-raced filly down to a new low in price. Stalker is racing second off a 3 1/2 month layoff and must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #2 (Versye) (10-1) - Lightly-raced Reddam home bred comes off an easy win over weaker at Ferndale on Aug. 24. It's noted that he broke his maiden at Santa Anita a year ago facing Cal.-bred special weights and has a shot at long odds.