Top pick: #5 (EXIT) (5-2) - Most of this veteran's success has come on the turf but he enters off a strong effort here on the main track Nov. 16 when racing for a $12.5K tag, he set a pressured pace and held gamely to miss by a 1/2 length. Claimed that day by Keith Nations and the new trainer is having an outstanding year here 85-24-14-12. This gelding by "Arch" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Part One) (5-1) - Speedy sort has been freshened up for almost two months and will be moving from turf to dirt. He's won twice here in the past on the main track and both were on wet surfaces.
3rd pick: #1 (Varborough) (8-1) - Old timer has won 12 of 49 overall, all on the dirt and has an excellent local record 16-6-3-2. Stalker draws the rail, stretches out in distance, and can factor at a square price.
4th pick: #9 (El Capitan) (12-1) - A stakes winner twice in Mexico he's found things much tougher since coming to the states. His last pair weren't that bad and trainer John Servis will be dropping him to a new low this afternoon. May grab a share at a big price.