Top pick: #5 (HEART TO HEART) (2-1) - The probable favorite, speedy son of turf champ "English Channel" has won two stakes in a row. He went wire-to-wire at Saratoga on Aug. 20 to win the "Better Talk Now" and on Sept. 27, he wired the field in the G3 "Jefferson Cup" here at Churchill. Working nicely since and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Woodfield Springs) (20-1) - Longshot moves up in class after chasing a quick pace and tiring here facing allowance foes just two weeks ago. Stalker draws the rail and think he'll be competitive at a very big price.
3rd pick: #7 (Other Cheek) (12-1) - Lightly-raced colt by "Smart Strike" ships in from the mid-Atlantic region where he's gone 5-2-1-1 on the grass. Stalker is still improving and last out won an entry-level allowance at Laurel at this distance Oct. 9.
4th pick: #2 (Archway to Heaven) (15-1) - Colt has been competitive in five straight appearances and has gone 5-1-3-1 over that span. $140K yearling by "Arch" is in career best shape and Jose Lezcano who is in from New York for the day picks up the mount.
5th pick: #3 (Wallyanna) (8-1) - Strong finisher ships up from Gulfstream where he rallied while very wide to finish fourth there in a $100K stakes Oct. 18. It was his first start since Sept. 1 and he worked twice in Florida before shipping.