Top pick: #2 (WE MISS ARTIE ) (8-1) - One of three entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and he'll be the biggest price of the three. A stakes winner last year when he took the G1 "Breeders' Futurity" on the Keeneland "poly," he was only beaten four lengths after a troubled and wide trip in the "Breeders' Cup Juvenile" at Santa Anita Nov. 2. Colt just missed in a $100K grass stakes here in his seasonal bow on Jan. 19 and Pletcher moves him back to the dirt today. Price Play.
2nd pick: #4 (Wildcat Red) (6-1) - Speed/stalker has spent his entired career on this surface and has gone 5-3-2-0. He enters off a career best when taking the "Hutcheson" (G3) going 7-furlongs on Feb. 1 and will be stretching out in distance.
3rd pick: #1 (Commissioner) (3-1) - Another of the Pletcher trio, he was a "game" winner here going 1 1/8th miles on Jan. 3 in his first since his maiden win at Saratoga in late Aug. Has the rail, a speed/stalking style, is working fast.
4th pick: #12 (Top Billing) (7-2) - Would like him much more if he didn't have this tough outside post. Lightly-raced, well-bred, and he was an easy winner here at this distance over weaker on Jan. 25. Working fine and strong finisher is a win candidate if he avoids a wide trip.
5th pick: #5 (General a Rod) (6-1) - He defeated "Wildcat Red" by a "head" here going a mile on Jan. 1. Working very fast for this and improving colt is in a fine barn (Mike Maker). A factor at a square price.