Top pick: #2 (WAGON TRAIN) - Colt finished third of 11 at Belmont at this tag and trip on Oct. 25 in his first off a Dave Jacobson claim. He's been entered a couple of times since but was on the also-eligible list and did not scratch in. Barn has worked him three times instead and today son of "Gone West" draws a fine post.
2nd pick: #10 (Hackleton) - Melnyk home-bred chased and weakened slightly when debuting at Laurel facing special weights Oct. 24. Excellent second out barn (Seth Benzel 23%) brings him back in five weeks and drops him into a claimer. Son of "Giant's Causeway" is a win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #1 (Great Karoo) - He moves to the rail after a troubled start and a wide trip last out at Belmont. Race was his first in almost eight weeks and trainer Bill Mott removes this 4-year-old's blinkers and replaces Ortiz with Junior Alvarado. Looks set for a competitive try.
4th pick: #6 (Grand Rapids) - He cost $325,000 and has so far earned back $878.00. That said, he runs off a 70-day break, has a new trainer (Steve Asmussen 21% with new arrivals), drops to a new low, and Dominguez is aboard. Must be left in the mix.