Top pick: #14 (VICAR'S IN TROUBLE) (5-1) - He's won both starts here in impressive fashion, including a 6 1/2 length score in the (G3) "Le Comte" stakes at this trip on Jan 18. Working fast since, speed/stalker draws a tough outside post, but is still the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Rise Up) (4-1) - Colt by "Rockport Harbor" hasn't seen action since winning back-to-back stakes at Delta Downs last fall, including the rich "Delta Jackpot" (G3). Overall he's 6-4-1-0 and is working fast for his return. His latest work, a near bullet half-mile breeze (second best of 70 that morning), should have him on edge for trainer Tom Amoss (30% off of long layoffs).
3rd pick: #9 (Intense Holiday) (8-1) - No-speed type ships in from Gulfstream for trainer Todd Pletcher and comes off a rallying third-place finish there in the "Holy Bull" stakes (G3) Jan. 25. It was his first in two months and has a pair of sharp works heading into this.
4th pick: #1 (Albano) (12-1) - Lightly-raced stalker draws the rail and comes off a second-place finish to "Vicar" on Jan. 18. Although beaten 6 1/2 lengths, it was his first around two-turns and has been working fast since. Price play.
5th pick: #5 (Bond Holder) (8-1) - Much like "Holiday," he has no early speed but will have no problem with the distance. Working fast at Santa Anita before shipping here and it's the combination of trainer Doug O'Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez (who won the "Kentucky Derby" two years ago).