Top pick: #4 (MUCH STRONGER) (2-1) - Though he received a very poor ride on Jan. 19th when he finished last of six racing here at this level and distance, he had won his previous race in fast time. And leading trainer Dave Jacobson has Cornelio Velasquez aboard for the first time.
2nd pick: #2 (Mulheb) (3-1) - Lightly raced and well-bred, 5yo gelding by "Bernardini" set a pressured pace and tired late to finish a close up fifth in his first start in 15 months. He's worked fast since, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin wins at a 30% rate second back from long layoffs.
3rd pick: #3 (Bemata) (7-2) - Grey gelding runs second off a Chad Brown claim and a seven week freshening. He had a bullet half-mile work at Belmont on Feb. 25th, and that indicates he's ready for a big effort.
4th pick: #1 (Green Gratto) (5-1) - Lightly raced and speedy, he's won two in a row and moves up in class after a win here over weaker on Feb. 2nd. That was a career best and earned him the highest last race "figure."