Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (IRISH WAR CRY) (7-2) - He's won all three starts including the G2 Holy Bull Stakes going 8.5 furlongs at Gulfstream Feb. 4. Huge effort was his first with lasix and it earned him the highest Byer figure any of these has reached up to this point. It was also his first ever around two turns. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #6 (Practical Joke) (5-2) - Talented colt makes his 3yo debut off a four-month layoff. He won his first three last year, including G1 wins in the Hopeful and Champagne on the NYRA circuit. In his final start in 2016, he finished a troubled 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 5. Working fast at Palm Meadows, he's an obvious threat if ready.
3rd pick: #7 (Three Rules) (12-1) - Longshot won five of six as a 2yo, including a trio of rich stakes on this course for fellow Florida breds. Away for three months, he missed by less than a length here in the G2 Swale Stakes going seven furlongs Feb. 4. Training fast since, he has more wins at Gulfstream (five) than the rest of the field put together (four). Interesting price play.
4th pick: #2 (Gunnevera) (7-2) - He finished a distant 2nd to 'Irish War Cry' in the local G2 Holy Bull Stakes going 8.5 furlongs Feb. 4. It was his first race in 2.5 months and earned him his best figure so far. He's worked since, and it's a plus that Javier Castellano stays aboard.
5th pick: #5 (Beasley) (6-1) - Competitive in all three starts, he makes his stakes debut in this tough spot. Speed/stalker has finished 2nd in a pair of starts at this meet facing weaker, but earned good figures in each. Working fast, and Irad Ortiz, Jr. is aboard.