Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (MONTANA MOON) (8-1) - Longshot is cutting back in distance in his second back following a pair of layoffs. He tired late after being sent hard going a mile Oct. 20 at Santa Anita in his first since Aug. 9. $275,000 son of 'Malibu Moon' is working fast and runs today without blinkers for the first time. I think he has a big shot at a large odds.
2nd pick: #5 (Shandling) (8-5) - The morning line and probable favorite, he rallied from far back to finish 2nd debuting Oct. 13 at Santa Anita in a 5.5 furlong grass sprint. Well backed that afternoon, he's been working fast since and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Lincoln City) (5-1) - Colt chased and held to check in 2nd of six, beaten four lengths at this level going 5.5 furlongs at Santa Anita Nov. 3. Clearly improving, but this field is tougher than he faced last out, and he'll need to step it up a bit.
4th pick: #1 (Tyrannical Rex) (10-1) - Longshot lacks any early speed, and this gelding will need an alert break and a fast and/or contested pace for anything more than a minor award. A late threat if that's the case.