Top pick: #1 (TACTICAL BUD) (5-2) - Gelding was involved in a pace duel through fast fractions before tiring when debuting here against tougher on Sept. 6. Capable barn (Veronica Griggs) has given almost a month to recover and will drop him in class for this attempt. Three-year-old home bred has the rail and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Schiller) (8-1) - Price play raced evenly from a tough outside post when debuting in the same Sept. 6 race as "Bud." Well bred gelding has worked well since, drops in class, and has blinkers added.
3rd pick: #6 (Bankinonhank) (7-2) - He has early speed and has finished second in two of his four starts. He just failed here facing weaker Sept. 25 and is a win candidate despite doubling up in price.
4th pick: #3 (Heza Smokey) (3-1) - Long time maiden finished a pacesetting second here at this level on Sept. 12. Nice effort and he can factor with a repeat of it, but the top three selections have room for upside, while this gelding is what he is. Believe that a small slice is his ceiling.