Top pick: #7 (LAKOTA FREUD) (7-5) - Grey gelding was claimed in late Nov. by trainer Rudy Rodriguez for $20K and was given the winter off waiting for the return of grass racing. New barn wins at a 25% rate first off the claim and this 5-year-old has a fine record on this surface (4-0-1-3). The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Imperial Bluegrass) (4-1) - He's been bet heavily in his last two starts facing tougher and trainer Tony Dutrow will drop him to a new low and switch him from dirt to turf. Gelding has good early speed and should be involved from start-to-finish.
3rd pick: #9 (It's Huge) (6-1) - He hasn't run in almost a year and will be racing in a claimer and on the grass, both for the first time. Trainer Chris Englehart (25% off of long layoffs) has him working nicely and it's a plus to see Rajiv Maragh aboard for this 5yos return.
4th pick: #10 (Smoke Town) (6-1) - Gulfstream shipper runs third back off a six month break and will be moving to the turf for the first time. Working well, is improving, and is bred to like the grass.