Top pick: #7 (BURNING MANDATE) (5-1) - Price play ships in from Penn National where he was beaten a neck racing at this tag going six furlongs. Very consistent speed/stalker is having a fine year (12-5-3-1), and draws a nice outside post at this 6.5 furlong distance. All the speed types are to his left in the gate, and he can take this with a patient ride.
2nd pick: #3 (Mystical Terp) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he was a visually impressive winner here at this tag on Nov. 19th in his second off a Keith Lebarron claim. That was a carer best, and this veteran gelding is a win candidate with a repeat of it.
3rd pick: #1a (Super Robusto) (9-2) - He's part on an entry with #1 Calvados, and trainer Ron Dandy has Josiah Hampshire, Jr. named on both halves. Since being claimed on April 1 and going in for a two month break, this grey gelding has gone 8-2-2-3 with most of those coming at or around this tag.
4th pick: #4 (Thunder Ball) (7-2) - Strong finisher rallied to finish third here for a 420K tag on Oct. 21st in his best since coming off a 3 1/2 month layoff in mid-July. He would benefit greatly by a fast and/or contested pace.