Top pick: #4 (EXPLAIN) - Though he looked good when winning here on Sept. 9 in the $50K Kostoff Stakes. Win came first off a bob Diodoro claim and this well-bred colt had some promise earlier in his career. The distance increase isn't a problem and not only is he the only 3-year-old entered with a local win, he's the only who has ever started on it.
2nd pick: #3 (Tiz Point) - His only previous start on real dirt was not a success, but it came at Santa Snita last March in the G2 San Felipe. Speed/stalker just missed last out in a grass stakes at Santa Rosa and has been working fast since.
3rd pick: #6 (Northern Iowa) - Lightly-raced colt has only one win to his credit and will be racing against stakes competition for the first time. Has talent and he did finish third on real dirt when debuting last April.