Top pick: #4 (BOSS DADDY) (9-2) - Lightly-raced and well bred, gelding missed by a "nose" at Belmont facing a bit weaker going 6.5-furlongs Oct. 16. He set fast fractions that afternoon and earned a career best figure. Up-and-coming trainer Abby Adsit has worked him twice since and 4-year-old by "Distorted Humor" gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (Hampden Fiveone) (7-2) - He's been a maiden a long time, but has been competitive in the majority of his races on the dirt at 11-0-4-3. Gelding has been very effective at this claiming tag 5-0-2-2 and is a strong win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #3 (Read the Mirage) (5-2) - Gelding was claimed on June 11th at Belmont by trainer Tom Morley for $40K. On the sidelines since, he has him working sharply and brings him back a bit under the purchase price. A quick half-mile breeze at Belmont Oct. 26 indicates his readiness.
4th pick: #1 (Scully) (4-1) - Expensive ($195,000) gelding by "Tale of the Cat" hasn't seen action since early April of 2013. He rallied to finish a distant third that day when facing special-weight foes at Santa Anita. He drops in class for a new trainer (Pat Reynolds), draws the rail, and is a win threat if ready.
5th pick: #8 (Road to Rockport) (5-1) - $100K gelding by "Dixie Union" had a poor start in his debut and ran evenly once in stride. He showed fine early speed last out while racing between horses and tired during the stretch run. In a great mid-level barn (Jimmy Jerkens) and this gelding is hard to eliminate.