Top pick: #3 (WHERE'S STERLING) - Improving colt finished a pace-chasing second at Calder Nov. 19 going 7 furlongs. Training fast for this attempt and his trainer (Nick Canani) is off to a very fast start at this meet. Colt has good early speed and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Keep Up) - Heavily backed in his debut this 4-year-old colt by "Unbridled's Song" finished a strong third despite "hopping" at the start and racing wide. Races today off a 80 day freshening and for a new trainer (Shug McGaughey). Training steadily at Payson Park and he's a threat as he makes his first start on real dirt.
3rd pick: #2 (My Kingdom Come) - Home-bred by "Smart Strike" finished a strong second last out at Churchill at this level going 9 furlongs. Race was his best yet and this lightly raced 4-year-old is a stretch-threat in this spot.