Top pick: #6 (AVELLINO) (9-2) - Lightly raced and well bred, he rallied while eight-wide to finish a close up fourth here at this level going 6.5-furlongs Nov. 18th. Much improved since joining the barn of Justin Evans, and this gelding by "Indygo Shiner" gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Gentleman Rick) (7-2) - He's raced evenly in both local starts at this level since coming from Alburquerque at the start of this long meet. He has the rail and back races that would win this if repeatable.
3rd pick: #3 (Majestway) (3-1) - He broke his maiden here on Nov. 11th and came right back 12-days later to finish a fast closing third at this tag in his first facing winners. He had a tough outside post that day and was forced to rally while wide. He draws a better starting slot this afternoon and is a win candidate.
4th pick: #2 (R Reel Deal) (4-1) - Stalker has finished second in four of ten attempts at this 2l condition, but his best "figures" are a bit under the top three picks. However, he's finished second in two straight locally and his latest was his best overall since March. Trainer Stan Hartman has him headed in the right direction.