Top pick: #9 (KENTA KUN) - Once much classier gelding races for only the fifth time since June '09. To his credit he's been competitive in all four of his return starts, three on the synthetic surface at Presque Isle and in his latest finished second here on the dirt Dec. 29 at this tag in his first back off a 100 day layoff. Stalker draws a nice post for this distance and can win this if he repeats his latest.
2nd pick: #7 (Lion By My Side) - Six-year-old has been sharp in two starts at this young meet and finished second last out Dec. 30 when he was beaten by a neck. Has both speed and stalking ability and his trainer Ron Potts brings him back quickly for this attempt. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Denali Slew) - Races for the leading trainer (Jamie Ness) and gelding raced evenly here New Year's Eve when he faced tougher. Effort was his first in five months and he may have needed that start. Ness brings him back quickly and drops him down in price. Can contend at a nice price.