Top pick: #5 (YO BLUE) (7-2) - Gelding chased the pace while wide and tired to finish 6th of 7, beaten 8 lengths racing here facing special weights on Feb. 3. It was his first off a three month layoff and probably needed the race. Trainer Gary Contessa will drop him into a claimer for the first time and with apprentice Coa aboard he gets some weight off. Home-bred has a sharp 5-furlong breeze at Belmont on Feb. 14 and looks all set.
2nd pick: #3 (Chrisandthecapper) (5-2) - Dangerous colt has finished second in his last pair, the latest coming at Calder on Nov. 10 facing special weights. In a winning barn (Jay Servis) and "hot" riding Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard.
3rd pick: #6 (Freight) (5-1) - He cost $200K and the Mott barn will drop him into a claimer and cut him back in distance. His debut here in a sprint Dec. 13 wasn't bad and last out he raced evenly going a mile on a "muddy" surface on Jan. 12.
4th pick: #2 (Dangerous Hill) (4-1) - Colt is one of three entered making their first starts and this home-bred by "Forest Danger" is in the fine barn of Chad Brown. He's working very fast for his first public appearance and will be bet if his connections like his chances.