Top pick: #5 (MAXIMUS DECIMUS) (4-1) - Colt raced wide and evenly when debuting against special weights on a sloppy track at Belmont on Sept. 21. Barn drops him down and had him work four times during the month of October.
2nd pick: #9 (Xixixi) (3-1) - He showed good early speed before tiring at Monmouth when debuting facing special weights on Sept. 29. Zayat home-bred drops, is working fine, and trainer Rudy Rodriguez wins at a 22% clip second time out.
3rd pick: #1 (Gabriel's Flame) (20-1) - Price play has the rail, goes turf to dirt, and is another dropping out of special weights. In a capable barn (Jim Ryerson) and a threat is a "live" longshot.
4th pick: #10 (Lulu Rocks) (12-1) - New York-bred chased and tired when facing state-bred special weights at Belmont Octt. 10. Drops and colt by G1 winner "Bustin Stones" must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #11 (Flying Joe) (10-1) - Yet another that's dropping into claimers and he's shown good early speed in all four facing tougher. Has a shot, but his outside post is a negative on this surface.