Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (SMOOTH TALES) (3-1) - He's one of two entered by trainer Linda Rice and the pair race uncoupled. A $95,000 purchase, he finished 4th of 9, beaten 4.5 lengths when debuting here Jan. 5 at this level going 5.5 furlongs on a sloppy surface. Rice (32% second time out), stretches him out in distance (29%), and this gelding draws a fine outside post out of the chute.
2nd pick: #6 (Big Browning) (8-1) - A home bred by 'Big Brown', he did not break cleanly and raced wide when finishing 10 lengths in back of 'Smooth Tales' Jan. 5. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens brings him back quickly, adds both Lasix and blinkers, and stretches him out in distance. Barn wins at a 35% rate second time out and has won with 6-of-13 maidens (46%) when adding the drug.
3rd pick: #5 (Pier Forty) (9-2) - This 3yo by 'City Zip' sold for $250,000 and has been a major disappointment. He raced poorly last out when down on the inside on a sloppy track Jan. 20, but had finished second in his previous pair here. I think he'll be competitive in this spot.
4th pick: #4 (Daring Disguise) (7-2) - The second of the Rice pair, he's a first-time starter by 'Verrazano'. He enters off a bullet half-mile breeze here Feb 4 and has the trainer's favorite 'go to' rider at this meet (Junior Alvarado) aboard.