Top pick: #5 (PROPONENT) - He was nailed in the last stride here on Oct. 19 when trainer Marshall Godsey dropped him down to this $5000 price tag for the first time. Speed/stalker retaings T.D. Houghton and gelding by "Political Force" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #9 (Sri Lanker) - Lightly-raced gelding makes his first start for owner/trainer Jim Tracy (a 20% winning angle) and last out at Hastings Park in British Columbia this 3-year-old finished a solid third after having a troubled break. That was a career best and 3-year-old by "Tribal Rule" can make a big impact in his first Mountaineer appearance.
3rd pick: #1 (Cool Thunder) - Gelding finished fourth here facing special weights after relocating from Chicago and switching to real dirt on Oct. 7. Solid effort came off a private sale and last out this 3-year-old regressed badly in his second local outing. Trainer Jack Allen brings him back quickly, drops him to a new low in price, and he draws the rail. Major factor with his "A" game.