Top pick: #9 (MISCHIEVOUSLY) (6-1) - Son of "Indian Charlie" tired going two-turns at Saratoga for a $50K tag on Aug. 28. It was his first off a Linda Rice claim and first back from an 8-week freshening. Barn drops his price in half and well under the purchase price. Spotted to win if he has enough talent.
2nd pick: #3 (Inca Saint) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he's taking a big drop in price after finishing a distant third here going a mile on Sept. 24 for a $50K tag. Stalker is from a winning barn (Chad Brown) and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Distant Thoughts) (7-2) - He enters off a career best when he lost by a 1/2 length to his entry-mate on Sept. 5. It was his first start in 2 1/2 months, and this gelding by "Lemon Drop Kid" must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #11 (Robert Noble) (4-1) - Very lightly raced colt finished an even third last out in his first start in 80 days. He did not break "cleanly" that afternoon and was 6 1/2 lengths back of "Distant Thoughts" on the wire. It was a career best, and he's worked sharply since. Blinkers go on, and this 3yo is making back-to-back starts for the first time.
5th pick: #7 (Identity Crisis) (10-1) - $310K son of "Mineshaft" ran poorly here on Sept. 24 and was virtually eased up at the finish. In his previous race at Saratoga, he ran a career best and earned the highest "figure" any of these has reached so far. A major factor if it's repeatable.