Top pick: #5 (DAY OF FURY) (5-2) - He's one of three entered in this contest from the barn of Bob Baffert, and all are working fast heading into it. This gelding was heavily bet in both starts here during the winter and finished third at this trip Jan. 30. He gets a slight edge in a competitive race.
2nd pick: #8 (Power Crazed) (4-1) - Another of the Baffert trio, he rallied to be beaten just over a length when debuting in a Del Mar sprint July 19. He had a tough inside post in a large field and is bred to enjoy this longer distance. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Nowalking) (4-1) - Home bred by "Hard Spun" ran a career best when he finished third at this level going two-turns on the Del Mar "poly" Aug. 28. Colt has been working very fast locally and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #1 (Deputy Striker) (6-1) - The main speed, well bred runner is nearing his sixth birthday and has only made four starts to date. He finished a pace-setting second at this level on Sept. 11 at Los Alamitos in his first race in 14 months. Son of "Smart Strike" is making back-to-back starts and has worked fast since he last ran.
5th pick: #9 (Beach Fever) (5-1) - Gelding was a "winner" at Del Mar Aug. 29, but was disqualified and placed second. Speed/stalker has run well on real dirt in the past and can factor if avoids a wide journey from this post.