Top pick: #1 (SMILIN TED) - Gelding has been bet a bit in both appearances facing tougher and in his latest he showed good early speed before weakening late racing here for $40K on Nov. 2. The high-percentage barn of Steve Klesaris adds blinkers, drops him down, and he draws the rail. The top pick.
2nd pick: #9 (Cheddar Chub) - Colt rallied to finish second in a small field (6) at Monmouth Park facing fellow Jersey-breds for a $25IK tag on Oct. 6. Owner/trainer Dan Lopez has given the home-bred to "Lupe" Preciado for this attempt and he wins at a 24% rate with new arrivals to his barn.
3rd pick: #2 (Midnight Call) - Well-backed when debuting at this level on the Arlington "poly" on Aug. 26, he was "bumped" at the break and recovered to finish a non-threatening third. He has a new trainer (Mark Zulueta) and he wins at a strong 32% clip with new stock under his care. Contends this afternoon.