Top pick: #1a (ISLAND WARRIOR) - Has a lot of back class and races off a 70-day layoff and when last seen he was finishing second in two of three starts at the Fair Grounds. Nice recent drill on this surface and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Black Vicar) - Has some good early speed and he comes off a solid race at this tag at Penn National. His speed would be more dangerous if the top pick scratches.
3rd pick: #4 (Lover Nekia) - Likes this surface (6-1-1-3) and until recently had been facing tougher. Another returning from a layoff (Dec. 23) but barn (Shellaine Brown) is above average in that catagory (33%).