Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (HARD HITTER) (5-2) - Colt is one of two entered by trainer Linda Rice and the pair race uncoupled. Son of 'Flatter' sold for $100K as a 2yo in training last March. He raced both greenly & evenly when debuting on the main track here Nov 20. Rice wins at a solid 34% 2nd time out and this runner gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Tipit) (4-1) - The second of the Linda Rice trained pair, he ran evenly following a poor break here Dec 19. Grey gelding did check in 3rd of 7 in a contest where the winner score by almost a dozen lengths. Can factor with an alert beginning.
3rd pick: #5 (Midnight Surfer) (3-1) - Expensive ($200K) colt has had trouble breaking cleanly in all three starts. His latest at Philly Park was poor overall, but showed enough in his first pair on the NYRA circuit to contend against this group.
4th pick: #1 (Biaviian) (6-1) - Gelding by 'Uncle Mo' finished 2nd for a $40K tag Nov 26, but tired to check in a distant 3rd at this level Dec 19. He has the rail and should be involved from start to finish at a square price.