Top pick: #1 (SOCIAL AFFAIR) (7-5) - He's part on an entry with #1a-"Magnolia Lane" and at press time both are still running. This beautifully bred colt has the inside post, a speed/stalking style, and he should have no problem handling this 11-furlong trip. Son of "Giant's Causeway" meets a weak field for this level and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Spoiler Alert) (10-1) - Longshot has been showing some improvement and comes off a fourth place finish at Kentucky Downs going 12-furlongs on Sept. 6. Working nicely at Fair Hill since that time and a solid turf trainer (Jimmy Toner) adds blinkers. Win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #7 (Shopping Spree) (12-1) - Lightly-raced home bred has clearly improved since switching to the turf. When last in action at Belmont on Sept. 14 he raced both wide and evenly while 4 1/2 back of "Social Affair" at the finish. Freshened up since, he's training steadily and can factor at long odds.
4th pick: #9 (Special Ops) (4-1) - He showed nothing when debuting in a two-turn dirt contest at Gulfstream last Dec. He had an impossible post that day (12th of 12) and may have bled during the running. Un-raced since, he's working steadily, switches to the turf, and has lasix added. Three-year-old by "Big Brown" is in a top barn (Chris Clement) and the red hot Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard.
5th pick: #5 (Pure of Spirit) (8-1) - Filly takes on males after rallying to finish third at Belmont for a $50K tag against her own sex on Oct. 2. She appears to be the type that can "run all day" and could factor with a bit of improvement in her figure.