Top pick: #4 (SAY MR. SANDMAN) (5-1) - This claiming contest is loaded with hard-hitting older geldings. This veteran went 11-2-2-2 in 2014 and all of those came sprinting. Speed/stalker has been freshened up since late October and has gone 8-1-2-1 on this inner surface in the past. He has a shot at a square price with his best.
2nd pick: #1 (Mop Head) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he's also a very strong win candidate and I almost put him on top. Speed/stalker has been freshened up since Nov. 13 when he was a sharp winner at this distance for twice this tag. He was clearing the 3l condition that afternoon and is nicely spotted for this attempt. Has the rail and is an obvious win threat.
3rd pick: #5 (Western Tryst) (7-2) - He's had trouble at the break in his last pair facing tougher. He ran evenly here on Dec. 10 for a $20K tag and drops down for this outing. In a top barn (Rudy Rodriguez) and it's noted that Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard.
4th pick: #7 (Island Sunset) (6-1) - He ran evenly while never involved here at this level Dec. 27. It was his first since Jan. 17 and he should improve a bit in this spot. Eight-year-old is in the barn of the 2014 training champ on the NYRA circuit (Dave Jacobson) but he draws a tough outside post and will need a lot of improvement off his return effort.