TOP PICK: #1 GOLDEN HARPOON (5/2)

HORSES FOR EXACTA OR TRIFECTA WAGERING 4-RISES THE PHOENIX 7/2 Has a chance to steal this if he’s sent to the lead and not pressured in a field that’s light on pace. He ran extremely well off a 6-month layoff Feb 16 and posted 2 huge wins on this track last year.

3-RHUMJAR 7/5 Has put in three very sharp efforts since being RE-claimed by leading trainer Contessa. However, he’s a closer in a field that’s light on speed and he has a tendency to hang more often than not in deep stretch.

1A-CADILLAC CRUISER 5/2 Came off long layoff with a game win Jan 26 over a next-out winner in 2nd. Class rise. This Todd Pletcher trainee has improved with each start and took a big forward step here Jan 29 when the blinkers were removed. Breaking from outermost post 8, he sat just off the pacesetter in 2nd, took the lead mid-stretch, and drew clear with authority. This is clearly a tougher field, but he’s put in 3 more works and could sit the right trip in a field that’s light on speed. He can either lead or sit close and get first run on potential pacesetter Rises The Phoenix.