Top pick: #1 (PROHIBITION) (5-2) - He ships in from Philadelphia Park where he ran a career best when winning a starter-allowance there on Dec. 31. Score came in his second off a Cathal Lynch claim and a subsequent two month break. Stalker has the rail, moves in with fellow New York-breds, and veteran Stu Elliott comes up for the mount.
2nd pick: #3 (Petrocelli) (5-1) - Gelding has a speed/stalking style and last out, set a quick and pressured pace before tiring to finish a distant second facing weaker. He's worked since and doesn't necessarily need the lead to be competitive.
3rd pick: #2 (Joe Mooch) (4-1) - Sprinter rated, made a strong bid while wide, and weakened to finish third here when facing weaker on Dec. 21 in his third off a four month layoff. Home-bred is very dangerous if he gets an easy early lead.