Top pick: #2 (BLUE SHARK) (8-5) - Home bred by "Colonel John" has good early speed and has been competitive several times facing much tougher. Good small barn (Mike Dilger) drops him into a claimer for the first time and he'll be tough on the front end.
2nd pick: #1 (Luv Dakota Skye) (6-1) - Price play draws the rail and is dropping down in class, switching back to the dirt, racing with blinkers on. Grey gelding had a big half-mile breeze at Belmont Nov. 22 that signals he'll be sharp in this spot. Has a shot at long odds.
3rd pick: #6 (Warrior's Hero) (2-1) - Gelding takes the same big drop as "Blue Shark" and has been competitive several times facing much better fields. Speed/stalker fits on "figures" and trainer Mike Wilson began this long winter meet with a win on yesterday's opening of the inner-dirt season.
4th pick: #3 (American Hero) (8-1) - He rallied to finish second, going 7-furlongs at this level Oct. 31, but tired in a follow up start racing for a $40K tag. Barn drops him back down and gelding by "Repent" is capable of getting a share.