Top pick: #8 (ARECIBO) (7-2) - Colt has the best early speed and is taking a shop drop in class. Three-year-old tired badly last out after chasing the quick pace of a long gone winner. Looks set on the class drop to get his maiden win.
2nd pick: #5 (West Terrace) (5-1) - Stretch runner ships back from Penn National where he rallied to finish second at this distance Aug 1. Gelding appears to be racing himself back into shape following a pair of layoffs and is headed in the right direction.
3rd pick: #12 (Free Will) (5-2) - He's taking the same drop as 'Arecibo' after tiring badly in a pair of starts facing tougher. Well bred 5-year-old is racing third back off an eight-month layoff and should factor.
4th pick: #11 (Rosario's Spirit) (10-1) - Un-raced since last Nov., he' has a new trainer (Phil Aristone) and is training above average for his return. New barn drops him way down in class and 3-year-old may impact if ready.
5th pick: #7 (Ourtaleoftwocities) (15-1) - Lightly-raced 3-year-old is cutting back in distance after being competitive in two of three starts here going longer. He'll need a fast and/or contested for anything more than a minor award.