Top pick: #8 (TOE JAM FOOTBALL) (5-2) - With trainer Rudy Rodriguez still on a suspension, his horses have been racing under the care of brother Gustavo. The barn has a pair entered in today's opener on the main-track and the two race uncoupled. This lightly-raced mare stretches out off a maiden win, going 6 furlongs and in these one-turn mile races the outside posts have always had an advantage.
2nd pick: #4 (Grace's Neh Neh) (2-1) - The second of the Rodriguez pair, she's been freshened up since Feb. 18 annd she's finished second in both previous efforts on this surface. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (The Winged Venus) (7-2) - No-speed type has been on the sidelines since late Jan. and is one-for-one on this surface and it came at this distance. She'll need a bit of pace help up front for a shot at the win.
4th pick: #5 (Luck in the City) (12-1) - Veteran mare has gone (6-1-1-1) racing on this surface, but has been in very poor form for some time now. Much like "Venus," she needs some pace help for anything more than a minor award.