1) Cedartown SCR
2) No Distortion 19-1
3) Scuba 5-1
4) Rich Daddy 8-1
5) The Player 3-1
6) Thirstforlife 7/2
7) First Premio 6-1
8) Team Colors 13-1

The scratch of Cedartown from the Mineshaft field likely leaves THE PLAYER (5) as a heavy favorite. The Player's best race clearly makes him a major threat, but his price leaves something to be desired.

I may be vastly overestimating his chances, but I think THIRSTFORLIFE (6) is sitting on a big effort for owner/trainer Wesley Hawley. Thirstforlife had really never improved at any point in his career until he was gelded and blinkers were added last August. Since then, he's two necks away from being a perfect 4-for-4 and appears to be entering the Mineshaft in career form. He has the ability to put himself in the race early, and in a race that lacks much early zip, that could make him dangerous. I'll play him at odds of 7/2 or greater; he's currently 11-1 with 15 MTP.