Top pick: #4 (NICOLE H) - In what looks like a two-horse race on paper, it's hard to separate "Nicole" and "Winning Image." This ultra consistent veteran (26-8-10-2) rallied from close range to defeat that rival by just over a length in the $100k "Endine" stakes at Delaware Park on Oct. 13. Working fine since and we'll give her the slightest of edges.
2nd pick: #2 (Winning Image) - The main speed of this small field, she set a rapid pace and tired late to finish second to "Nicole" last out at Delaware. Race was her first in 2 1/2 months and she had a sharp work here on Nov. 11. Her local mark is outstanding (4-3-0-1) and I came very close to putting her on top.
3rd pick: #6 (Bounding Bi) - Before becoming a grass sprint specialist, this mare was a pretty decent dirt performer with a local record of (14-3-2-1). Stalker draws a nice outside post and has a shot at completing the exacta if one of the top two selections is sub-par.