Top pick: #6 (MIDNIGHT RAVEN) (3-1) - He's had very difficult outside posts in three straight starts and ran well despite that handicap in his last pair. Improving gelding draws much better today and it's nice to see Bejarano back aboard.
2nd pick: #9 (Valen) (8-1) - Grey gelding has been racing evenly in his last three and last out he checked in 2 1/2 lengths back of "Raven." Trainer Jack Carava adds blinkers today and that may shake this 5-year-old up enough to make him contend at a square price.
3rd pick: #11 (Minister of trade) (12-1) - 3-year-old has finished second in two of his last three, including his latest which came here at this level at odds of 31-1. Encouraging effort and a repeat of it makes him a threat.