Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (ELUSIVE MIDNIGHT) (6-1) - Colt raced evenly when debuting Sep 16 at Churchill Downs for a $30,000 price tag. Claimed that afternoon by Marc Zulueta (29% fresh of the claim), he worked him here Oct 12 and drops him down to run for $20K. Can take this at a square price.
2nd pick: #5 (Ghost Bear) (8-1) - He's raced evenly in his first pair going shorter at this level. Under-rated barn (Alf Velazquez) has him pacing into shape and the additional furlong he travels today is in his favor.
3rd pick: #4 (Gone Astray Kiss) (4-1) - The field's most experience maiden moves back to the dirt following a poor effort in his grass debut Oct 8. Jersey bred had been competitive in four of five on the main track prior to his latest and has Paco Lopez aboard for the first time.
4th pick: #12 (Somewhere South) (3-1) - The probable favorite, he finished second here at this level when debuting in a 5-furlong sprint Sep 19. Trainer John Servis (21% second time out) worked him Oct 8 and colt is an obvious threat but at a short price.
5th pick: #1 (Red Reddington) (15-1) - State bred ships back from Penn National where he tired while wide racing on a sloppy surface going a mile Sep 30. Barn brings him back quickly, drops him in class, and shortens him up in distance. May grab a share at long odds.