Top pick: #8 (FALAAH) - This race is loaded with big price disappointments and this 5-year-old by "Speightstown" is one of them. He cost $290,000 and has only made two starts, both last year - eight months apart. He has fine early speed, is in a winning barn (Kiaran McLaughlin), and has an excellent half-mile drill on Dec. 20. Draws a tough post, but believe he has enough early speed to either clear off or rate just off the lead. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Captain's Cat) - Lightly-raced grey gelding by "Tale of the Cat" cost $190K and last out finished 2nd at this level on Nov. 23 to the promising "Simbamangu", who won an allowance race at Gulfstream park this past Saturday. Training fine for this, he's the probable favorite, has Dominguez aboard, and would be no surprise.
3rd pick: #4 (What's the Record.) - He rallied to finish second last out in a very small field (5) and this state-bred will need to improve some for any chance at knocking off the top two picks.