Top pick: #5 (NOBLE'S PROMISE) - Has plenty of back class looked good when winning a sprint stakes at Churchill Nov. 5 in his first race since mid-June. Likes real dirt and looks all set to win his second Grade One.
2nd pick: #11 (Smiling Tiger) - Speed/stalker finished a strong third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint(G1) and he tackled older runners that day. He moves back in with three-year-olds today, draws a great post, and has won at this trip before. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Thiskyhasnolimit) - Dirt specialist has been competitive in most of his starts this season and has a "bullet" work on this new surface Dec. 12. In the Asmussen barn and a win candidate.
4th pick: #4 (Caracortado) - He looked like a big player last spring heading into the "Triple Crown" events, but he found the comp a bit too tough. He looked sharp in winning a grass sprint at Hollywood Nov. 11 in his first back off a six month layoff and has a fine work on this strip at this distance Dec. 12. Don't dismiss.