Top pick: #2 (MUCHO MACHO MAN) (7-5) - Both he and "Ron the Greek" return to their native state off of big years in 2012 and the two veterans finished 1-2 in the running of this stake last Jan 28. Stalker just failed in the "Breeders' Cup Classic" (G1) last out and has been working extremely fast here for this attempt. He's 2-for-3 locally, (5-2-2-1) at this demanding trip, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Ron the Greek) (8-5) - As mentioned above, he had a great 2012 (7-2-3-0 with $1.55M in earnings) and finished a rallying second in the previous edition of this stakes. Strong finisher is (9-2-4-1) at this distance and will be flying down the stretch.
3rd pick: #3 (Fort Loudon) (4-1) - Interesting stretch-out sprinter comes into this off a solid second-place finish in a 7-furlong stakes here on Dec. 2 that was run in very fast time (1:21 flat). Working fine since and he should be in this a long ways at a square price.
5th pick: #7 (Cash Rules) (8-1) - He finished a disappointing third here in a small stakes going two-turns on Dec. 16 and that broke a series of solid efforts dating back to last April. He did win a stakes at this trip at Calder at this distance on Nov. 10, but will need to step it up for any shot at "knocking off" either "Macho" or "Ron."