Top pick: #6 (COMMENCE FIRING) (8-5) - The probable favorite, filly has excellent early speed and will be going turf to dirt and dropping into a career soft spot off a seven week break. Mare is in the high-percentage barn of Kirk Ziadie and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (New Englander) (8-1) - Old-timer has more career wins (13) than any other entered and she scored here at this tag on Dec. 26. Mare raced both wide and evenly in her latest and moves to the ground saving rail.
3rd pick: #2 (The Mint Angel) (6-1) - One of two entered by trainer Giuseppe Iadisernia and she hasn't run since the summer when she won back-to-back starts at Thistledown and Beulah Park. Very lightly-raced 6-year-old is a factor if ready.
4th pick: #9 (Pompous Miss) (3-1) - Cheaper sort has won three of her last five and scored here for an $8000 tag Jan. 26. Early-speed type needs to either try and outrun "Firing" out of the gate or rate off that mare.