Top pick: #2 (ACROBATIC TACTIC) (7-2) - Filly enters off a career best when she went wire-to-wire to win by three lengths racing at this tag going 4.5-furlongs at Charles Town on Sept. 26. Win came off a two month break, and trainer Ed Clouston brings her back quickly for this attempt. 4yo has run well here in the past (8-0-3-2) without winning and breaks from the rail. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Bayou Jill) (7-2) - Speedy grey filly set the pace and held to finish second here at this level going 5.5-furlongs Sept. 16. Back in shape after returning from almost a 6-month break on May 7, and she's a win candidate on the front end.
3rd pick: #6 (Indian Sky) (4-1) - Veteran mare has a fine record at this 5-furlong distance (13-4-3-2) and has gone 4-1-2-1 since coming off a long layoff on July 1. She likes it here at Mountaineer (10-3-2-2) and is a win candidate with a late charge.
4th pick: #8 (War in Dubai) (3-1) - Mare has tired badly in both starts since returning from an 8 1/2 month layoff in late August. Both of those came at Thistledown, and this 6yo has an outstanding local record (12-8-2-0). A strong win candidate with her best.