Top pick: #7 (MACHO DORADO) - Price play comes into this off a near miss facing entry-level allowance foes at Santa Anita going 7 furlongs on Nov 2nd. Racing back into shape following several layoffs and grey gelding is a perfect two for two on this surface and is 5 for 8 at this distance.
2nd pick: #5 (Mensa Heat) - Veteran hasn't won since taking this very stakes on Dec 11th of 2011. He's gone (8-0-2-3) since that time and moves back to the all weather surface off an even effort last out on the Santa Anita dirt. The probable favorite, and I almost made him the top selection.
3rd pick: #2 (Maui Mark) - He's 10 for 26 overall and rallied to win the $100K Cal Cup Sprint last out on the Santa Anita dirt. The majority of his best races have been on dirt and turf, but is two for six on all weather surfaces. His speed makes him a bit interesting.
4th pick: #3 (Legal Separation) - Price play finished 2nd to "Mensa" in this stakes last Dec and brings a solid closing kick into a contest where the pace could be fast/and or contested. Stretch threat if that's the case.