Top pick: #16 (PROUD BOSS ) (4-1) - Speedy gelding drops to a new low and shortens up in distance in his second back from a 2 1/2 month layoff. He draws a nice post at this trip and can take this if he goes.
2nd pick: #13 (Deception Free) (9-2) - He finished second here at tis tag and trip on Oct. 17 in his first off a seven month break and first off a trainer change to Len Powell. FOur-year-old has apprentice Nicolas off and Marty Garcia on. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Tenkiller Kid) (5-1) - Claimed on July 19th at Del Mar by Doug O'Neill for $40K, he was sent in for a three month break and appears to be racing into shape. Barn cuts him back from a mile, drops him to half of the purchase price, and removes his blinkers.
4th pick: #14 (Wildcat Candy) (6-1) - Lightly-raced gelding has been competitive in all four starts since coming off a 16 month layoff on July 17th. He was only a length back of "Deception" last out and had some serious traffic issues that afternoon.
5th pick: #6 (Anytime) (8-1) - Arizona-bred has the best early speed of this large field and will be racing third back from a 10 1/2 month layoff. Very dangerous if he gets an easy early lead.