Top pick: #2 (MR. COWBOY) - Gelding raced both wide and evenly when finishing a close-up 4th here at this level and trip August 8th in his first action since June 23rd. Trainer James "007" Bond has worked him twice since, adds blinkers, and his "go to" jockey (Ramon Dominguez) is back aboard after a one race absence.
2nd pick: #10 (Big Guy) - Stretch-out sprinter has been competitive in his first pair going shorter and trainer Bruce Levine (who's having a strong meet) wins at a 20% rate off the distance increase. More importantly, he replaces 7lb apprentice Garcia with J.J.Castellano for this attempt. All things point towards a big effort.
3rd pick: #3 (Hope Still Springs) - He showed an improved effort here when he finished a clos-up 4th here at this level August 4th. He was "pulled up" in his previous start after being "bumped" heavily, so will essentially be racing 2nd back off a 7 month break. Looks set for his best,.
4th pick: #9 (Lawyer Jim) - He ships in from Woodbine for Lisa Lewis ( 5-2-1-1) at this meet, and he raced wide and evenly there July 18th in his first start since debuting at Gulfstream on New Year's Eve. Working steadily, he makes back-to-back starts and faces fellow New York-breds, both for the first time.