Top pick: #2 (WARRIOR'S HERO) (4-1) - He's taken some money in both starts at Belmont and showed a much-improved outing in his latest there. Going a "flat" mile at this level June 24th, he was involved in a protracted speed-duel and held very gamely to miss by a "neck." The race was run in solid time (1:36.80) and gelding had a sharp local half-mile work here July 22nd.
2nd pick: #4 (None Like Nolan) (9-5) - The probable heavy favorite, he ships back from Monmouth where he missed by just under a length at this level going 8.5-furlongs. By far a career best, the leading trainer here (Todd Pletcher) sends him a 1/16th farther and has stable rider John Velazquez aboard.
3rd pick: #1 (Updraft) (5-1) - Colt showed little when debuting at Belmont going 6-furlongs on June 8th. He was in against a pretty good crew that afternoon, including the impressive winner "The Big Beast" who won right back here last Saturday. This Darley home bred has been working well for this attempt and is bred to enjoy this longer distance.
4th pick: #3 (Aggrandizement) (8-1) - Colt by "Harlan's Holiday" cost $300K in May of 2013 and has been showing signs of improvement. He's finished fourth in his last pair, including one effort at this 9-furlong distance. Don's just ignore him.