Top pick: #5 (WILD TARGET) - Very interesting field in this $75K "overnight" stakes as it drew a pair of runners who impressed as 2-year-olds in 2011, but both were injured and are attempting to get back in the game. This horse enters this in career best form, off his top "figure," and it came at this 7-furlong distance at Belmont Oct. 19. One-run type is (9-2-4-2) overall and gets the call on his recency edge.
2nd pick: #4 (Sage Valley) - Very speedy and lightly raced, he's won two in a row and last out earned a 100 Byer "figure" when going wire-to-wire at Belmont when facing weaker on Oct. 3. Dominguez stays put and this colt also has a recency edge on the pair of classier returnees.
3rd pick: #1 (Souper Speedy) - He went (2-1-1-0) in 2011 and following his maiden win at Belmont when debuting on Oct. 1, he came back a month later and finished a strong second on this surface in the Remsen Stakes (G2). Home-bred by "Indian Charlie" was injured soon after that start and was away for 10 1/2 months and finished second at Belmont at this distance in his return effort Oct. 14. Obvious win threat, but this field drew tough and he'll be a short price.