Top pick: #3 (PIONEER OF THE WEST) (2-1) - He rallied to finish a close up second racing at this level on the Santa Anita dirt Oct. 26. It was his first since Sept. 3 and this son of "Pioneer of the Nile" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Cyrus Alexander) (9-5) - Heavily backed when debuting at Santa Anita going 7-furlongs Oct. 18, he set a quick and pressured pace and tired in the final furlong to check in third. Working fast since, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer stretches him out around two turns, colt draws the rail, and retains Bejarano. Son of "Medaglia d'Oro" cost $1,700,000 as a yearling and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Milton) (12-1) - Longshot tired after flashing good early speed at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. It was his first since debuting July 19th and his connections stretch him out and have him making back-to-back starts.
4th pick: #7 (Madiba) (9-2) - He's an uncoupled barn-mate of "Cyrus" and last out he disappointed as the favorite while almost 7 1/2 back of "Pioneer." It was his first around two turns and he's worked very fast since.