Top pick: #4 (ROBERT NOBLE) (3-1) - He finished second facing tougher on Nov. 5, but has followed that up with a pair of sub par efforts. However, he did have some excuse in each and is dropping back down for this attempt. He gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Thug Daddy) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he enters off a pace-setting second-place finish here facing a bit weaker on Dec. 15. It was his second start back off a 4 1/2 month break and first ever around two turns. Blinkers go on and he's an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Cee No More) (7-2) - Well bred colt raced both wide and evenly in a sprint here facing tougher on Dec. 27. He had a tough outside post that day and also did not break sharply. His connections bring him back quickly, drop him in class, and stretch him back out in distance. Son of "Tiznow" moves to the rail and is a win threat.
4th pick: #5 (New Dude) (20-1) - Grey gelding enters off an extremely wide trip after breaking from an outside post on Dec. 26. Four-year-old by "Repent" raced evenly that day and may get a small slice at a big price against this group.