Top pick: #7 (EARLY RIDE) (3-1) - He runs second back off a 9 1/2 month layoff and trainer "Bret" Calhoun will drop him into a claimer for the first time. Training well and Calhoun wins at a sharp 37% clip on this particular drop.
2nd pick: #8 (Wally) (4-1) - Lightly-raced and well-bred, he's raced evenly in his first pair facing special weights and takes the same class drop as "Early Ride." In a good barn (Randy Morse) and a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Touch of Dutch) (5-1) - Improving gelding rallied while wide to finish third here at this tag going 6.5 furlongs on Sept. 27. That was a career best, but the shorter distance he goes tonight is not in his favor.
4th pick: #10 (Maniero) (10-1) - Speedy Texas-bred runs second off a 5 1/2 month break and tired in his return here after setting the pace until mid-stretch. Can factor, but others seem better suited for the win.