Top pick: #7 (MO ROCK) (4-1) - Consistent gelding (13-2-3-2) chased a fast pace and weakened late to run third here facing weaker on Oct. 9. Race was his first in seven weeks and this 3-year-old has back class to call upon.
2nd pick: #5 (Bingo the Birddog) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he was an easy winner here just one week ago to clear the 2l condition. Speed/stalker ran a career best that day and is an obvious win candidate right back.
3rd pick: #6 (Fort Bowie) (12-1) - Very lightly-raced home-bred broke his maiden in easy fashion here on Oct. 7 in his first since early May. Good small barn (Chad Story) brings him back nicely spotted and Scott Stevens stays put.
4th pick: #8 (Whiskey Row) (10-1) - Former stakes winner hasn't made back-to-back starts since the spring of 2011, but has been somewhat competitive in two of his three races this year. Can factor with his best.