Top pick: #2 (CITY SNEAKERS) - Prepped in an "off the turf" race on Oct. 2, by the Linda Rice barn. Race was his first in just over three months and he ran evenly that day in a MSW contest. Drops into a claimer and should be sharper second off the rest.
2nd pick: #1 (Western Call) - Rail should help runner out who has "hit the board" in two of his last three at this price. Sharp work for a maiden runner like him on Oct. 20, and he may improve today.
3rd pick: #7 (Raffie's Deer) - Goes second off a long layoff (eight months) and his second for trainer Steve Asmussen. Ran evenly last out against $50K "open" maidens. Drops in half and faces fellow state-breds.