Top pick: #9 (HANDSOME DENNIS) (3-1) - He's had some excuses in his last pair facing much tougher and on the last day of racing here trainer Doug O'Neill drops him into a claimer for the first time. Fits nicely with his best and he should get a solid pace to rally into.
2nd pick: #3 (Boss of Me) (5-2) - Gelding is well-bred and has some changes today for his first since Oct. 11. Trainer Dan Hendricks drops him to a new low, cuts him back in distance, and moves him from turf to "poly." Stretch threat.
3rd pick: #6 (Wistfullee Mine) (6-1) - Lightly-raced, and well-bred and gelding comes off a nice effort here Dec. 12. Has some speed, drops to a new low, and is racing third back from a 6 1/2 month absence. Dangerous runner.
4th pick: #5 (Slight Edge) (12-1) - Longshot has run well in two straight at this level and had very difficult posts in each (11 and 14). He draws better and may grab a minor award at a very big price.
5th pick: #4 (Full's Kris S) (12-1) - He had some talent earlier in his career, but has had numerous layoffs since then and tired in his most recent. Capable of getting a small slice at long odds with his best.