Top pick: #3 (Quaintly) - Daughter of "Giant's Causeway" finished an even third at Santa Anita going 10 furlongs in an entry-level allowance on Nov. 1. Race was off a 65-day freshening, it was a talented group, and she had a poor start. Trainer Pat Biancone brings her back four weeks later, gives her a rider upgrade (Leparoux), and has her travel an extra furlong.
2nd pick: #4 (Glowing Spirit) - Clearly the main speed, she moves back to her best surface after a pair of solid efforts on the dirt. The level is fine, she's working nicely, and one of her two wins came at this 1 1/4 mile distance.
3rd pick: #6 (Remarkable Moon) - Bred to "run all day," she rallied from far back to break her maiden going 9 furlongs on the Santa Anita turf Oct. 27. Win came off a two month freshening and was helped by a fast pace. The added distance is a plus and she can factor if the speed comes back down the stretch.