Top pick: #5 (RAP D'ORO) (3-1) - He's finished second in two straight here at this level, the latest coming at this 6-furlong distance on Feb. 22. Well-bred gelding had a tough outside post that day (11th of 12) and draws much better today. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Ten Items Or Less) (5-2) - The field's only big drop-down, he has early speed and last out tired facing $35K 2l opposition on Feb. 7. He runs third back from a pair of layoffs, has a new trainer (Bruce Brown), and is going in a career soft spot. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (G W's Hammer) (8-1) - New York-bred has had troubled starts in his last pair and last out he rallied to finish fourth while only two lengths back of "Rap d'Oro." No-speed type would benefit greatly if a fast and/or contested pace were to develop.
4th pick: #8 (Corybant) (20-1) - Speedy sort ran second here at this level and distance on Jan. 26, but has tired badly in two starts since then. He faces others that may want the lead and will need to step it up today.