Top pick: #5 (AWESOME MARIA) - The probable heavy favorite, she's won five in a row dating back to February of 2011 when she began her streak by winning the Sabin S.(G3). She became a G1 winner last June at Belmont when she won the Ogden Phipps S. and was sent in for an eight-month layoff at that time. Grey mare returned to take the "Sabin" again on Feb. 25 and is training fast at Palm Meadows for this event. She's a perfecy 3-for-3 on this surface and will be tough in this spot.
2nd pick: #1 (Beloveda) - Speedy mare is (7-6-1-0) since last October and is a perfect 2-for-two at this meet since joining the barn of Marty Wolfson. She's trying this 1 1/8th trip for the first time but had no trouble winning at the Fair Grounds going 8.5 furlongs on Dec. 23. One of two entered here by the trainer and the pair will race uncoupled.