Top pick: #5 (ROYAL FLASH) (3-1) - He has sharp early speed, and comes off a fine effort here when he set a quick & pressured pace before tiring to run fourth. His connections drop him to a new low, and I like his chances.
2nd pick: #2 (Wrister) (7-2) - He's been competitive in all three starts, and the Alan Goldberg barn drops him to a new low this afternoon. Gelding draws outside of the speed, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Pantera) (4-1) - He's shown sharp early speed in all three starts, and draws the rail for his local debut. Red Oak home-bred has taken money in all three starts and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #8 (Big Tomatoes) (10-1) - Jersey-bred comes off a career best when he finished second sprinting on the Meadowlands turf Oct. 11th. Can factor if he can bring that effort to the dirt.
5th pick: #6 (Giantex) (8-1) - In a good barn (Cal Lynch), and they drop him to a new low. May grab a minor award at a big price.