Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (MAKINCENTS) (7-2) - Filly raced both wide and evenly when finishing third debuting here at this level and distance Dec. 8 in a contest common to several others entered today. She's come back with a pair of strong half-mile breezes and I give her a slight edge.
2nd pick: #4 (Helene Jacqueline) (4-1) - She ships up from Philly Park where she checked in a pace-pressing second debuting at this distance facing 'open' company on a sloppy surface Dec. 30. Trainer Rich Vega brings her back quickly and has her in with fellow state breds for this attempt.
3rd pick: #5 (Nicky Scissors) (3-1) - $110K purchase chased and held to finish 2nd of 7, beaten just under 5 lengths debuting here going 6.5 furlongs Dec. 21. She's worked since for the high percentage barn of Jay Servis, who has won with 6 of 30 (23%) second-time starters since Jan. 1 of 2019.
4th pick: #9 (Girl's Wave) (8-1) - She rallied to miss by a 'neck' debuting here at this level and distance in an 'off the turf' contest Dec. 6. Homebred had a troubled break and is an obvious threat if her initial effort is repeatable against this stronger group.