Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #13 (PADDYRYAN) (3-1) - At press time it was not yet indicated if this also-eligible had scratched. He needs one horse in the main-body of 12 to get in. Gelding has been competitive in all three grass starts facing tougher. Working nicely for his first in two months, trainer Brendan Walsh is dropping him into a claimer for the first time.
2nd pick: #5 (Silver Wraith) (7-2) - Freshened up since Nov 5, he tired that day after pressing the pace racing for a $50K tag. Barn drops him to a new low and Javier Castellano is aboard for this attempt.
3rd pick: #7 (Slapjack) (8-1) - Long shot is dropping into a claimer for the first time. He's shown a bit of speed facing better and resides in a sharp barn (Marcial Navarro). Can factor on the big drop in class.
4th pick: #2 (Hatattack) (8-1) - NEW gelding has been sharp in two of four on the grass. He raced evenly here at this tag Dec 30 and breaks just off the rail. He needs to step it up for anything more than a minor award.
5th pick: #1 (English Mahaveer) (12-1) - Long shot has the rail and some early speed. He finished a distant third here at this tag Dec 19, but race had a daylight winner and he missed the place spot by only a 1/2 lengths. Must be left in the mix.