Top pick: #1 (BROTHER BIRD) (7-5) - The probable favorite, veteran gelding tracked, bid, and held gamely to win the $98K Claiming Crown Iron Horse Stakes here at this distance Dec. 1. All nine career wins are on conventional dirt, he's (11-6-2-1) at this trip, and is (2-1-1-0) locally. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Red Hills) (3-1) - Colt had a troubled start in the same race as "Brother Bird" and raced evenly once in stride. Much improved since being claimed by Jose garafolo on Sept. 3 and is a win candidate in this spot.
3rd pick: #3 (Nemo Landing) (6-1) - The main speed, he ran poorly here in a sprint stakes on Dec. 1 after acting up before the start. Seventeen-time winner stretches out today and will take them as far as he can at a big price.