Top pick: #6 (POP POP'S SMYLE) (2-1) - Filly chased the winner and held down the place spot here at this level and distance on Feb. 10. Solid effort came off 10 1/2 month layoff and she'll win this with any improvement whatsoever in her second off the long layoff.
2nd pick: #7 (Sweet Maxine) (4-1) - Home-bred ships from Laurel where she's won two in a row facing "open" company. Speed/stalker is in a capable barn (Mike Gorham) and he has Cornelio Velasquez signed on today.
3rd pick: #4 (Nine Lives) (3-1) - She barely held on to break her maiden here at this distance as a heavy favorite on Feb. 1. Race was her first in 4 1/2 months and filly was claimed that day by Manny Gonzalez. Her speed makes her a bit dangerous.
4th pick: #5 (Hundred Acre Wood) (12-1) - Big effort last out saw her rally while wide to finish second when facing $20K 2l "open" company. Lightly raced and a big factor this afternoon with the move back in with fellow New York-breds.