Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (TELEPHONE MAKER) (2-1) - Very sharp in both starts, he's working above average at the Palm Meadows Center for his first since Nov. 23. He missed by just under a length that day going 8.5 furlongs on the grass at Aqueduct after finishing 2nd in a dirt sprint Oct 13 at Keeneland. I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Kingmeister) (3-1) - A home bred colt by 'Bodemeister, he missed by just under a length at this level and distance Dec 7 at Aqueduct. It was a big move forward off his sprint debut there Nov 16 and it's noted that trainer Mark Hennig has Javier Castellano aboard.
3rd pick: #7 (Awesome Party) (5-1) - This son of 'Curlin' sold for $700,000 as a yearling back in Sep of 2018 at Keeneland. He debuts for the Pletcher barn (23% first out) off of a fine series of works at the Palm Beach Downs Center and has John Velazquez aloft.
4th pick: #11 (Tons of Gold) (10-1) - He finished a solid 2nd here at this level and distance Dec 8 in his 2nd start back following a 100 day break. Stalker draws a fine outside post at this one-turn mile and is capable of factoring at a square price.
5th pick: #6 (Point Driven) (8-1) - A $160K son of 'Tapiture', he finished 3rd here at this distance Dec 18 after a pace-setting journey. Colt has Irad Ortiz Jr back on the re-ride and may get a share with some improvement.