Top pick: #4 (MUCHO MACHO MAN) - He finished a solid third here in last year's Kentucky Derby (G1) and was sent in for a five month layoff after a poor performance in the Belmont Stakes (G1) On June 11th. He's undefetaed since returning(3-for-3) and comes north from Gulfstream after a pair of stakes wins. Training locally since early April, he meets a tougher field today but is the choice in a "deep" field.
2nd pick: #1 (Nate's Mineshaft) - "Nate" comes north from the Fair Grounds where he won four in a row including very impressive gate-to-wire wins in both the Mineshaft H.(G3) and the New Orleans H (G2).Working fast locally, he has the rail, the best speed, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Fort Larned) - In career best shape at present, he won the (G3) Skipaway S. at Gulfstream March 31st and earned a lofty $108 Beyer figure. One-run type is working fast for this and was an easy winner here at this distance in late November.