Top pick: #2 (HOPE FOR TODAY) - Since moving back to conventional dirt when the Arlington meet closed, this gelding by "Flatter" has put back to back career best efforts together on this surface. He was a 15 length winner on Oct 15 racing for $17.5K facing "open" foes, and last out was nipped on the wire running at this entry-level Illinois-bred allowance condition. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Costilla Range) - He's also put back to back career toppers together since moving back to real dirt following a 65 day layoff. Only a neck off of Hope For Today last out and he's in the barn of the leading trainer at this meet (Roger Brueggemann). Has the rail and looks like the main danger.