Top pick: #8 (O.T.COWBOY) (5-1) - Lightly-raced gelding by "Kodiak Kowboy" improved to run an even fourth in his second start here on Sept. 7. Barn (Randy Russell) had a great year at Presque Isle Downs and had a maiden finish second here last night.
2nd pick: #4 (Opportunity Calls) (10-1) - He's moving from turf back to the dirt and comes off a troubled trip here just 10 days ago. He was "forced out" on the turn after racing close up and lost all chance at that point. It's Mayhew off and Houghton on and the veteran rider should have this gelding involved every step.
3rd pick: #5 (Famous Fighter) (2-1) - Veteran maiden has gone 18-0-2-4 when racing on the local dirt and has been sharp in his last pair after coming off a two month freshening on Sept. 9. Both of those were against fellow West Virginia breds but he faces a rather poor group of "open" company this evening.
4th pick: #3 (Shore Manor) (5-2) - Speedy sort has gone 18-0-7-5 when racing here on the main track an he's the speed nearest the rail. Can do some damage with his best, but think he'll be over-bet a bit.