Top pick: #5 (SOL THE FREUD) (5-2) - Very consistent colt (5-1-2-1) finished second here in a similar field, and was only beaten a 1/2 length that Dec. 31st afternoon. Speed/stalker gets a slight edge in a competitive contest.
2nd pick: #4 (Loki's Vengeance) (2-1) - Lightly raced colt was a decisive maiden winner on this surface Dec. 21st in his first since running second when debuting on Nov. 3rd. Heavily backed last out, he's worked well since, and has the highest last race "figure."
3rd pick: #6 (Bourbin Therapy) (6-1) - Gelding defeated $20K "open" maidens when winning on Dec. 11th in his first off a claim by leading trainer Dave Jacobson. He tired last out following a "stumbling" break, and is a threat at a square price.
4th pick: #1 (Sidearm) (5-1) - Strong finisher has finished third in three straight, the latest pair coming here at this distance. He's breaking from the rail for the third straight time and needs to avoid any traffic for a shot at the win.