Top pick: #3 (DUST IN ZAHN) (4-1) - Lightly-raced gelding tired here at this tag going 6.5-furlongs on Dec. 15. He set a quick and pressured pace that hay in what was his first since Oct. 23. The leading trainer here (Bob Diodoro) brings him back on short notice and shortens him up a furlong. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #11 (Binky Hollow) (10-1) - He draws a tough outside post but did display fine early speed before tiring badly here in his debut on Dec. 10. Capable barn (Dave Van Winkle) drops him down a bit and this 3-year-old by "Pure Prize" can factor in this spot.
3rd pick: #8 (Buccaneer Beach) (5-1) - He's another with some early speed and has finished fourth here in his last pair facing slightly better. Lightly-raced, he's running third back off a long layoff and is in the mix.
4th pick: #7 (Distorted King) (6-1) - Well bred gelding finished second here at odds of 54-1 on Dec. 6. It was his first off an 8-month layoff and by far a career best. A threat if it's repeatable.