Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (SQUARED SQUARED) (8-1) - Longshot moves up in class in his first following a John Sadler claim. Taken for $62,500 out of his debut at Del Mar Nov. 18th, he tired that day while racing evenly. Working fast since, it's noted that he was bet down to 5-2 favoritism in his first start.
2nd pick: #11 (Hard Arch) (9-2) - Lightly raced colt moves up in class after finishing a wide 3rd on Dec. 3rd at Del Mar. It was his West Coast debut and came for a $40K claiming price. Working fast since, he should contend in this spot.
3rd pick: #5 (True Appeal) (6-1) - Colt was away slowly and ran evenly when debuting Nov. 18th at Del Mar. Working fast since, that includes a bullet five furlongs (best of 104 at the distance) the morning of Dec. 18th.
4th pick: #3 (Passed by Paul) (20-1) - One of two entered by trainer Doug O'Neill, he's working fast for his first since Oct. 30th. NEW gelding drops in class, shortens up in distance, and goes turf to dirt. Gelding has drilled five times in the a.m. for this attempt, and all have been well above average.
5th pick: #4 (Gentrified) (8-1) - The second of the O'Neill pair, longshot drops in class, and is shortening up in distance. Along with those changes, he's in a claimer for the first time, and has blinkers on.