Top pick: #3 (WACO) (3-1) - Speedy gelding by "Medaglia d'Oro" has gone 4-1-1-2 since switching to dirt sprints. Last out he at this level he set a pressured pace and weakened in the final furlong to check in third. Solid effort came off almost a three month break and he can take this with just a bit of improvement.
2nd pick: #7 (Leilani's Ticket) (5-1) - Veteran moves up in class after rallying to defeat a strong field of allowance-optional $40K claimers on Dec. 5. That ran his local record to 6-1-3-1 and he's a stretch threat again in this spot.
3rd pick: #9 (Joking) (6-1) - Consistent sort chased and tired while finishing 2 1/2 lengths back of "Waco" in late Nov. He'd won his previous pair facing weaker and has a shot at a square price.
4th pick: #4 (Jeter) (9-2) - Gelding by "Lawyer Ron" has finished third in three straight and strong finisher fits on a figure angle. He would love a fast and/or contested pace to develop.
5th pick: #6 (Joe Mooch) (8-1) - Longshot is in shape and moves up in class while shortening up in distance. Capable sprinting, but believe a small slice is his ceiling unless many things break his way.