Top pick: #1 (BURROWING OWL) - Claimed by trainer Cody Autry this past August, he immediately sent the veteran runner in for a long rest. Trainer annually is a major force here and he won a pair on opening day. Gelding loves this course and he's been training well for his comeback.
2nd pick: #2 (Carson the Great) - Faces open foes after winning his last pair and running out of conditions. In the best shape of his life at present, and if he repeats either of his recent wins, he'll be a handful.