Top pick: #5 (EMPIRE CAT) (5-2) - He enters off a career best when he tracked, made a strong bid and tired late to finish fourth on the Del Mar "poly" at this level and distance Nov. 23. He's worked since, retains Bejarano, and meets a rather weak looking field.
2nd pick: #6 (Lucky Shoes to Win) (6-1) - Lightly-raced gelding is stretching out in distance and making back-to-back starts for the first time. He was away slowly from an inside post in a large field (12) last out at Del Mar and raced evenly once in stride. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Litigation Road) (9-2) - Reddam runner rallied while wide in his latest and was a "neck" better than "Empire Cat" that afternoon. Positive effort was his first in 80 days and first ever in a claimer. Stretch threat.
4th pick: #4 (Empowering Force) (10-1) - Much improved in his second start, he finished a close up fourth at this trip facing a bit tougher Oct. 9 at Santa Anita. Freshened up since, he had a very sharp half-mile breeze on Nov. 30 and must be left in the mix.