Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (ALLEGIANCE) (5-1) - He's dropping in price following a wide and even effort here at this distance for a $35,000 tag Feb. 8. It was his first following a claim for $20,000 by Cheryl Winebaugh Jan. 23, she has him in at that level, and he draws a much better post. I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #6 (Am Prepared) (6-1) - Price play exits the same Feb. 8 contest as 'Allegiance.' He was another that had a wide trip before finishing just under a length in back of that rival. Only his second start, he's been bet in each, and it's a plus that John Velazquez stays aboard.
3rd pick: #8 (Channeledbythewind) (10-1) - Longshot has been freshened up since Jan. 3 when he tired while wide after making a menacing move at the top of the stretch. Colt has some very fast local works on view heading into this attempt and is a threat at a big price.
4th pick: #2 (Bee Keeper) (7-2) - A lightly raced Calumet Farm home bred, colt tired late to finish 4th here at this tag and trip Jan. 23. It was a big move forward off his debut 18 days earlier, and leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. is back on the re-ride.