Top pick: #1 (RUSSIAN ALLY) - Speedy gelding is one of two horses entered here by trainer Linda Rice and the pair will race uncoupled. Has the rail and the barn will be dropping him into a claimer for the first time this afternoon. May be a case of now or never.
2nd pick: #5 (Oasis of Chance) - He's improved since coming back from a four month layoff in Sept. and is (3-0-1-2) since then. Has enough speed to stay close and has a big shot at running down "Ally" in the late stages.
3rd pick: #8 (Faulkner) - The second of the Rice pair hasn't raced since late Sept. and is training nicely for this attempt. This gelding by "Thunder Gulch" is also dropping into a claimer for the first time and rounds out the win candidates.