Top pick: #1 (BIG JOHN B) (8-5) - "John" has really blossomed since coming to the West Coast and joining the barn of Phil D'Amato. Gelding by "Hard Spun" has won three straight in easy fashion, and last out was am impressive winner of the G2 "Del Mar Hdcp." He defeated many of these that afternoon and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #9 (Irish Surf) (4-1) - He enters in career best form and is moving from "poly" to the grass for this attempt. Strong finisher earned a career best "figure" last out in the G1 "Pacific Classic," and he's a threat with a repeat of it.
3rd pick: #5 (Unbridled Command) (12-1) - One of two entered by trainer Pete Miller, and he'll be the bigger price of the pair. New York bred hasn't yet recovered his form since coming back from a 16 1/2 month layoff in late June, but he did show some fine early speed in his latest. Capable of impacting with his best.
4th pick: #8 (Bright Thought) (5-1) - He's from the same barn as "Big John B," and last out finished a pace-pressing third to his barn-mate. Speed/stalker likes this particular course (6-3-0-1) and should be involved from start-to-finish.