Top pick: #5 (RIVER SEVEN) (4-1) - He's only run twice on the dirt, but both were very strong efforts. He finished second in the $500K "Prince of Wales" stakes on July 30, and last out here was a sharp and convincing winner here going 8.5-furlongs in the $100K "Harlan's Holiday" Dec. 22nd. Working above average, and 4yo has a flexible style. Price play.
2nd pick: #8 (Lea) (10-1) - Lightly raced 5yo comes off a career best when he won the local G3 "Hal's Hope" on Jan. 11th going a mile. It was his first in 2 1/2 months, and first off a trainer change to Bill Mott. Working above average at Payson Park since, and he has a shot at a square price.
3rd pick: #2 (Will Take Charge) (8-5) - The probable favorite, he comes off an outstanding year in 2013 when he won almost $3,000,000, and it would have been double that if not for a tough beat (a "nose") in the "Breeder's Cup Classic." Strong finisher ships in from Oaklawn where he's training fast, and he should get a fast pace to rally into. No major complaints from me, except the expected short price.
4th pick: #9 (Bourbon Courage) (12-1) - Longshot is working very fast for his first since finishing seven back of "River Seven" on Dec. 22nd. He has talent and is a strong stretch threat if the pace is fast and/or contested.