Top pick: #7 (IMPERIAL COUNCIL) - Professional-looking performance in his debut, saw him break from the rail in a large field, rally turning for home and was out-gamed on the wire while having some traffic issues late. Latest work, the seven-furlong distance, and the outside post add up to a win.
2nd pick: #6 (American Dance) - Debut runner by "A.P. Indy" has some very fast works on view including several from the gate. Runs for the "Pletcher" barn and looks like a player at first asking.
3rd pick: #5 (Professor Z) - Well-bet in his Churchill debut in late June, he did not break with his field and has been on the sidelines since. Drill on Sept. 30 was fast and barn (Steve Asmussen) is good off the bench (25%) and solid second time out (23%).