Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (WHO IS JARETT) (2-1) - Colt moves from grass to dirt while dropping into the claiming ranks for the first time. $90,000 purchase finished 4th of 8, beaten just under 4 lengths debuting in a 5 furlong turf sprint facing tougher Nov. 10. He received good betting support that afternoon, earned a solid figure, and is from a winning barn (Jorge Navarro). I like his cancs.
2nd pick: #5 (Wicked Temptation) (9-2) - He debuted in the same Nov turf sprint as 'Who Is Jarett' and raced both wide and evenly while 5 lengths behind that rival. Colt takes the same drop and trainer Ed Plesa Jr replaces apprentice Torres with Paco Lopez.
3rd pick: #7 (Emoji Guy) (8-1) - Very wide debuting here at this trip facing tougher Dec. 14, he had a tough outside post (12 of 12) in a contest where the winner scored by 11 lengths. From a capable barn (Kate O'Connell), the veteran trainer won with 8 of 40 (20%) 2nd time starters in 2019.
4th pick: #4 (Dream d'Oro) (4-1) - He was very sharp in his first three sprints, but tired badly in a follow up pair going a mile. Freshened up for the past two months, he's back sprinting while in a claimer for the first time. He should be competitive in this spot.