Top pick: #6 (TRUE JOANIE TRUE) (3-1) - Filly chased and tired when debuting on Nov. 23 and was claimed that day by trainer Rudy Rodriguez for $25,000. She's been freshened up since, is working steadily, and the new barn wins at a 23% rate first off the claim. She's brought back at just under the purchase price, meets a weak field, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Youngwildandfree) (5-1) - She's raced evenly in her first pair, was wide in both, and in her latest she had some trouble at the start. Daughter of "Put It Back" has been bet each time and probably has more talent than she's shown up to this point.
3rd pick: #3 (Nothing But Air) (6-1) - Debuting home-bred has been in steady training since October and her trainer (Bruce Levine) is having a grreat meet. Filly breaks just off the rail and need not be anything special to factor against this group.
5th pick: #7 (Party Girl Appeal) (6-1) - Another making her debut and she had a fine half-mile breeze at Belmont Dec. 29 that indicates she has some ability. The Canani barn is enjoying its first winter in New York and this filly is by a good first out sire "Successful Appeal."