Top pick: #5 (CORT) (4-1) - Purchased for $260K last April as a 2yo in training, he made his debut on Dec. 13th at Aqueduct. Facing special weight competition, he showed good early speed, but stopped badly at the 1/4 pole. Colt was bet down to 2-1 that afternoon in what appears to have been a strong field. Freshened up since, he's working fast at Palm Beach Downs for this attempt. His trainer (George Weaver) is having a solid meet, and he drops this runner down in class while having John Velazquez aboard. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Awesome Union) (7-2) - Much improved in his last two starts, he just missed here at this level & distance Dec. 14th. Speedy sort set fast fractions that day and has been working that way since. Has the rail, and I almost made him the top pick.
3rd pick: #8 (Brett Park) (6-1) - He's finished second in two of his four dirt starts and both have come at this $50K tag. He has a flexible running style and is cutting back in distance from a mile to 6-furlongs.
4th pick: #7 (Yourdreamsormine) (4-1) - Stretch runner has been competitive in both starts racing at this claiming price. Colt is in shape and has gone 5-0-1-2 racing here. Must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #3 (Forest Warrior) (20-1) - He showed a bit of speed when debuting facing tougher here on a sloppy surface Jan. 11th. Barn drops him down and he could get a minor award at a big price.