Top pick: #6 (HUSHHUSHMUSHMUSH) (6-1) - Gelding comes off a solid effort here on July 20. He was sent hard from a tough outside post and stayed on gamely the entire distance to check in fourth of 12, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Trainer Chad Brown has worked him three times since, and he draws a better post this afternoon.
2nd pick: #4 (Forever Utopia) (4-1) - He moves back in with maidens after finishing fourth here in a $100,000 stakes for New York breds Aug. 4. He's finished second in seven of 10 facing non-winners and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Slew's Brew) (7-2) - He's finished second in two straight here this meet, and last out was only beaten a "neck" while earning a career best "figure." Fits, draws well, and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #8 (Vischer Ferry) (10-1) - Speedy 4yo is stretching back out after setting fast fractions in a local sprint at this level Aug. 15. Barn brings him back quickly, and he's run well at this trip in the past.
5th pick: #10 (My Friend Keith) (5-1) - He's racing off a pair of layoffs and with Lasix added from a "hot" barn (George Weaver). Colt is nicely bred, has early speed, but his post is of no help. Home bred needs a "heady" ride.