Top pick: #6 (M ONE RIFLE) - He's had a fine career (20-5-2-7 $528K), but not for several long layoffs it would have been much better. Stalker was away a bit tardily last out and rallied to finish 3rd to today's rival Italian Rules. 6yo homebred is working fast and has been pointed towards this all winter. Gelding has done some of his best work on this footing(10-4) and will race with blinkers on. The choice in a very tough race.
2nd pick: #5 (Italian Rules) - Dangerous foe comes into this off a career best when he defeated "Rifle" at Santa Anita on March 4th. Another who's ultra consistent and is working fast for this. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Red Defense) - He was claimed just 7 days ago by John Sadler for $62,500 and no doubt had this race in mind. Not as accomplished as the top two picks, but Sadler wins at a 37% rate first off a claim and this gelding is 3 for 4 on this surface.