Top pick: #4 (DERBY GOLD) (3-1) - Speed/stalker tries hard every time and his 2014 record (15-1-6-5) reflects that consistency. Fine local barn (Bob Reid Jr.) is dropping him in class and stretching him out in distance. Five-year-old has gone 5-1-1-1 at this trip in the past and Carmouche is back aboard after a one race absence.
2nd pick: #5 (Quepos) (8-1) - Speedy longshot is moving up in class and stretching out in distance. Veteran has back class and should be involved from start-to-finish at a big price.
3rd pick: #8 (P A Thunder) (9-2) - He comes off a solid third-place finish here at this tag and trip on Nov. 16. He set a pressured pace and held gamely to finish third to a horse that returned to take another next out. In the mix.
4th pick: #1a (Blame the Jockey) (3-1) - Old timer rallied to miss by a "neck" racing here facing starter-hdcp. foes on just six days ago. It was his best since being claimed by Phil Aristone Sept. 13 and this veteran has a fine record at this distance 12-1-4-4. Stretch threat.