Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (CALI STAR) (2-1) - Mare ships in from down south for her first NYRA appearance. Stalker has improved noticeably since moving to the barn of Marty Wolfson in late fall. Five-year-old won Gulfstream's Rampart Stakes (G3) going a mile Dec 12, then finished second Jan 30 in a G3 stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. Working fast in Florida before heading here and leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard.
2nd pick: #2 (Mei Ling) (5-1) - Speedy mare has really stepped it up since coming back from a 9.5 month layoff last June. She's gone 8-2-3-2 since then has been sharp in three straight stakes heading into this. In shape, working fast, trainer Todd Pletcher adds blinkers. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Saythreehailmary's) (12-1) - Hard hitting New York bred loves this inner surface 8-3-2-2- and she defeated 'Mei Ling' here in the Ladies Handicap Jan 10. In shape, working fast, and stretch runner is a threat at a big price.
4th pick: #1 (Pangburn) (6-1) - No-speed type rallied to win a $75K stakes at Laurel racing at this distance Feb 13. She's had a steady diet of graded stakes on her resume and 4-year-old draws a ground-saving post. Late threat.