very tough race, but a good one ...

separato - nice post. fast eough to be competitive at the weights. the "5" last out with no excuse is worrysome. pass

river mountain rd - i like the pattern. nice #'s at OP in '03 and '04. took it up a notch this year, and has two nice buried #'s. nice post post for a change. trip will be crucial for this closer, and the jock is a concern. still, my key at ml of 10-1.

clays awsome - fast enough to be competitive, but the small backwards move last is a concern. gets in a bit heavy too. a small use inderneath.

absent friend - had things his way last two and ran well. picks up serious weight here, and will close wide into an average pace. fast enough, but i have to try and beat as the 2-1 favorite.

mauk four - killed me on 3/13. fast enough to win, but i will let him beat me again at ml of 7-2. backed up to a "4" off similar pattern that day, and i expect the same here.

free thinking - nice horse with some fast #'s. i expect another run in the "1" range. carries a few extra lbs than my choice, and figures to lose a bit of ground. accounting for the trip and weight, a "3.5" is expected. use underneath at ml of 4-1.

missme - sneaky horse. had a few nice dirt figs at OP last year, and ran a buried "2.25" last out. get in light, and looks ready to run a good one for whiting. ground loss concern though, and the jock is 3 lbs over. a use underneath at a big price.

pro prado - no reason why he won't run another "1". gives some weight, and will lose ground. fast, but post makes him a use underneath.

i will key riven mountain rd at a decent price in this very tough race. CA, FT, miss, and PP are my uses underneath.