Top pick: #4 (BERT STONE) (7-5) - The probable favorite, he's been competitive in both starts. Gelding by "Grindstone" finished a close up fourth here for a $40K tag in his local debut on Dec. 7. He ran second at this $30K level when debuting at Keeneland in late October and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Hey Jabber Jaw) (5-1) - Well bred gelding is racing off almost an eight week freshening and has a new trainer this afternoon (Chris Englehart 19% with new arrivals). Juvenile by "Mineshaft" showed some early speed on the Woodbine "poly" and is a threat if he handles the conventional dirt.
3rd pick: #2 (Canoe Club) (8-1) - Florida shipper hasn't shown much in four starts but all have been against much tougher Special Weights. Son of "High Cotton" has worked four times since arriving in late November and his new trainer (Karl Grusmark) is dropping down in class for his NYRA debut.
4th pick: #1 (Humbolt Street) (10-1) - He showed some improvement last out and it came from a tough outside post on a muddy surface racing for a $50K tag. He moves to the rail, drops to a new low, and if he has any talent it should show against these.