Top pick: #8 (PIONEER CHARLIE) (4-1) - One of two entered by trainer Jack Carava and both are contenders. This speedy colt finished a pace-setting 2nd at this tag racing at Los Alamitos on Sep 20. It was his first off a Carava claim and a subsequent two month break. Son of "Pioneer of the Nile" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Awesome Time) (7-2) - He tired after racing close up to a quick pace when debuting against tougher at Del Mar Aug 28. He's working well since, takes a big drop, and trainer Jeff Mullins removes the blinkers. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #12 (Tasha's Courage) (5-1) - The second od the Carava pair, gelding has gone 7-0-3-1 racing here at this level in the past and one run type just missed last out at Los Alamitos. Win candidate.
4th pick: #6 (Blame It On Tekela) (6-1) - Lightly raced and improving, gelding ran 2nd at Los Al at this tag on Sep 11th and is cutting back a furlong for this attempt. Must be left in the mix.