Top pick: #2 (MALIBU DREAMER) (5-2) - Son of "Malibu Moon" has been freshened up since an even effort here on the grass facing tougher on Jan. 2. Stalker is lightly raced and finished second at this tag on Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. Colt meets a weak field and is spotted to win by trainer Patrick Byrne.
2nd pick: #8 (Purpose) (3-1) - Speedy gelding draws a nice outside post and has finished second in two of his last three starts. He's been bumped at the break in each of those outings and has done well under the circumstances. Castellano stays aboard and this 3-year-old is a very strong win candidate. View him as the equal of "Malibu Dreamer."
3rd pick: #4 (Fenerbahce) (6-1) - Gelding has raced evenly in all three starts facing tougher. Barn drops him way down in class and has him racing on conventional dirt for the first time. In the mix.
4th pick: #7 (Valovich) (8-1) - Longshot is racing third back off a two month freshening. He's been bumped at the break in his return pair and has caught sloppy surfaces in each. May grab a minor award at a big price.