Top pick: #4 (TAELYN'S PRINCE) (5-2) - Lightly-raced gelding by grass champ "English Channel" just missed here at this distance in a $35K grass stakes on Nov. 8. Stalker is back in shape following several layoffs, is the horse to beat, but make sure you reverse your exactas with the second and third selections.
2nd pick: #8 (Magic Cash) (2-1) - One of two entered by the leading trainer here (Bob Diodoro) and the pair race uncoupled. Lightly-raced and well bred, he rallied to finish second here at this level Oct. 28 and earned a figure just below that of "Taelyn's Prince." Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Socratical) (4-1) - He exits the same Oct. 28 contest as "Magic Cash" and tired late to finish third two lengths back of that rival. Speed/stalker was forced very wide into the clubhouse turn that afternoon and moves from the outside post to the rail. It's noted that "hot riding" apprentice Drayden Van Dyke is back on the re-ride. Factors today.
4th pick: #2 (Blue Bomber) (20-1) - Longshot is the second of the Diodoro pair and has sharp early speed. Dangerous if allowed an uncontested early lead, but he will insure a fast pace for "Magic Cash" to close into.