Top pick: #4 (ATLANTIC MAN) - Nice local debut saw this gelding set a pressured pace and hold well to finish third while tiring in the last furlong. Race was his first off a 2 1/2 month layoff and first off a trainer switch to Carlos Martin. Barn brings him back in 9 days and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Virging On Stardom) - He rallied last out to finish second and defeated "Atlantic Man" by less than a length in the process. Improving, and with Dominguez out of town, C.C. Lopez gets the ride.
3rd pick: #6 (Allen's Affair) - Improving with each start (all sprints) trainer Gary Contessa will stretch him out in distance for the first time. With regular rider Studart on suspension, the "red hot" Dave Cohen climbs aboard.
4th pick: #2 (Backstage Johnnie) - New York-bred debuts at a difficult distance and is with a trainer (Jim Bond) who rarely has his stock ready first out. That said, this colt has a bullet drill from the gate at Belmomt Jan. 26 surrounded by stamina building works. Has the rail and could be dangerous.