Top pick: #1 (VONA) (5-2) - Colt chased and weakened when debuting here on Nov. 20. Trainer Bill Mott will add blinkers and this son of "Circular Quay" had a very sharp half-mile work at Belmont on Dec. 21. He cost $275K this past March and he can win this with a clean break.
2nd pick: #2 (Father Johns Pride) (9-5) - The probable favorite, $210K son of "Grand Slam" exits the same Nov. 20 race as "Vona," and finished just under two lengths clear of that rival. Grey colt is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Jimmy Soul) (10-1) - "Jimmy" set a pressured pace before tiring when debuting on Nov. 30 going 7-furlongs. He's worked well since, shortens up in distance, and runs with blinkers off.
4th pick: #6 (American Progress) (9-2) - Debuting son of "Mr. Greeley" cost $100K this past May and has a series of excellent works heading into his first public appearance. Trainer Leo O'Brien has been on tough times in recent years, but trained both "Fourstardave" and "Fourstarsallstars" both top runners during his long career.