Top pick: #7 (CAIRO PRINCE) (3-1) - Colt left quite an impression in New York in his three starts (3-2-1-0), and if not for a "nose" loss in the (G2) "Remsen" stakes to the promising "Honor Code" would be entering this undefeated. Grey son of "Pioneer of the Nile" is working very fast at Palm Meadows and stalker can take this if ready off almost a two month break.
2nd pick: #8 (Wicked Strong) (8-1) - Son of "Hard Spun" also ran well in all three starts on the NYRA circuit and was only a 1/2 length back of "Cairo Prince" in the "Remsen." Colt is also drilling nicely at Palm Meadows and this colt has the look of an "up-and-comer."
3rd pick: #6 (Mr Speaker) (5-1) - Phipps home-bred was extremely sharp when rallying to win the local "Dania Beach" (G3) raing on the grass on Dec. 21. All four of this son of "Pulpits" races have been on the turf and he continues to train nicely on the deep dirt surface at "Payson Park."
4th pick: #1 (Coup de Grace) (4-1) - Undefeated (2-for-2) colt was a winner here going a mile over weaker on Dec. 15 and he's been working "bullets" at Palm Meadows since. Speedy sort has the rail and must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #11 (Intense Holiday) (9-2) - One of many talented 3-year-olds from the Pletcher barn, when last in action he was finishing fourth behind both "Prince" and "Strong" in the "Remsen" on Nov. 30. He's working fine, but draws a tough outside post in this talented field. Colt needs to avoid a wide journey for any shot at the top prize.