Top pick: #9 (TENKILLER KID) (7-2) - Claimed by Doug O'Neill for $40K on July 19th at Del Mar, gelding was sent in for almost a three month break and is just now returning to his best form. Three-year-old ran second here at this tag going 7-furlongs on Nov. 11 and stretches out in distance today.
2nd pick: #11 (Chocolatier) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he enters off a career best when beaten a "neck" here at this tag Nov. 21. Well-bred colt was running second off a two month break and is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #10 (Crusher) (5-1) - Dangerous gelding is lightly raced, speedy, and improving. Three-year-old finished 4th of 10, beaten 4 lengths racing at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 and is working fine for this attempt.
4th pick: #8 (Warren's Cliff S.) (8-1) - Longshot chased while wide and tired to finish fourth, 4 1/2 lengths back of "Tenkiller Kid" last out. Stalker has finished second in two of three starts at this distance, and were by far career bests.
5th pick: #2 (Coranto) (20-1) - Another longshot, he exits the same last race as both "Kid" and "Warren" and he raced evenly while very wide and checked in fifth, within range of both those rivals. He has a fine inside post and stretches out in distance.