Top pick: #5 (MAMBO AT THE GYM) (5-2) - Gelding was a very impressive maiden winner here at this distance on Dec. 3. He earned by far the best figure any of these has reached to date and still has room for upside. Nicely spotted and the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Peaceful Talk) (5-1) - Speedy son of "War Pass" is racing third back off a pair of layoffs and showed a much improved effort Nov. 20. It's a plus to see him stringing starts together and he's a threat at a square price.
3rd pick: #3 (Van Fraassen) (9-2) - California invader rallied to finish an non-threatening third when facing tougher in his NYRA debut on Dec. 7. It was his first in two months and first off a private sale to owner/trainer Dave Jacobson. He drops him down today and this son of "Giant's Causeway" is dangerous this afternoon.
4th pick: #8 (Lyrical Miracle) (10-1) - Not a win threat, but this recent maiden winner could grab a share if able to avoid a wide trip from a tough post. State bred is much improved of late and Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard for "Seattle Slew's" trainer Billy Turner.
5th pick: #1 (Captain Toews) (20-1) - Even paced type has been freshened up since Nov. 15 and is trying a two-turn distance for the first time. It's possible for him to get a minor award at a square price from this inside post.