Top pick: #2 (TOSHEEN) (5-2) - Speed/stalker just failed to hold on at Santa Anita racing at this level and distance Oct 16. It was a career best overall and came off a 7-week freshening. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Sudden Rumor) (5-1) - The fields most experienced runner has been freshened up by trainer Phil D'Amato since late Sep. One run type was clearly improving at that time and is a win threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #1 (Crux) (3-1) - Lightly raced and improving, gelding won his grass debut at Santa Anita at this distance facing high level starter-allowance foes Oct 29. Speedy sort has the rail and should be involved from start-to-finish.
4th pick: #7 (Kozani) (6-1) - unraced since May 18th, gelding is working sharply for his return. 3yo by "Exchange Rate" fits on "figures" and trainer Bob Diodoro wins at a 33% rate (14 0f 42)off of long layoffs.