Top pick: #9 (IRVING RULES) - Speedy veteran ships in from Turfway Park where he finished a pace-setting second at this tag and distance Sept. 15. He's won three times on real dirt and races for the high percentage barn of Mike Maker (117-for-537 on the year, 22%). The horse to catch and beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Thru the Desert) - Consistent sort (17-5-6-1) loves this surface (6-3-3-0) and all of those local races have come this year after returning from a 4 1/2 month layoff in late April and a trainer switch to Burley Clouston. Working fine for this and a win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Dream Victory) - Gelding by "Victory Gallop" just missed last out at this level in his first back off almost a two month freshening. He's (2-1-1-0) when racing at this price and is a threat again this evening.