Top pick: #6 (DEVILS LIGHTENING) (8-5) - The probable heavy favorite, he set the pace, opened up a big lead, and was caught in the final stride to miss by a neck here at this level Nov. 20. Big effort came in his second off a Keith Lebarron claim and he can finish the job this affternoon.
2nd pick: #7 (Full of Thunder) (20-1) - Longshot is lightly raced snd ships in from Laurel where he chased and tired while encountering some traffic issues late. Faces a weak field and think he can factor at a very big price.
3rd pick: #4 (Crafty Star) (10-1) - Freshened up since late October, he'll be going turf to dirt, shortening up in distance, and draopping down in price. The last three times he sprinted on the dirt at this price tag Jersey-bred finished second. Contends with Carmouche aboard.