Top pick: #2 (FADE TO BLACK) (8-5) - Daughter of "Street Cry" just failed to last in her debut going 7-furlongs on the main track Nov. 30. She set a solid pace and only gave way in the final 100 yards to miss by a 1/2 length. Stretches out, has the rail, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Lift) (7-2) - Debuting filly by "Pulpit" cost $300,000 as a yearling and has a solid series of works on view. in a capable barn (Jim Bond) and a near bullet 5-furlong work at Belmont eight days ago suggests she's a win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Star Magnolia) (15-1) - Filly stretches out after tiring readily in the same last race as "Fade to Black." It would be no surprise to see her hold on much better today at a big price.
4th pick: #1 (Ballylee) (3-1) - Beautifully-bred filly is working nicely for her debut and daughter of "Street Cry" is bred to like this trip. Dangerous if ready.