Top pick: #4 (BIRD TALE) (7-2) - Colt moves off the rail after he was sent a bit last out before tiring late racing at this level and distance Nov. 25. There's enough speed signed on and this son of "Birdstone" is best used as a stalker.
2nd pick: #2 (In God's Country) (5-1) - Lightly-raced gelding is clearly improving and has the best early speed. He moves up to face tougher after an impressive maide win here just 17 days ago. Jersey-bred is a win candidate in this spot.
3rd pick: #3 (Sewanee) (5-2) - Another recent maiden winner, he's from the always dangerous barn of Tony Dutrow and this home-bred showed some promise early in his career. Deep closer would benefit greatly if a fast and/or contested pace were to develop.