Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (FIRST RATE) (4-1) - He raced evenly here at this claiming price going a mile on the grass Jan. 4. Only his second start, it was his first since Sept. 21 and trainer Jorge Navarro switches him to the dirt and has him making back-to-back attempts. Colt has worked twice since his latest and I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Bourbon Street) (6-1) - He tired while wide debuting here facing tougher at this distance Jan. 11. Trainer Rodolphe Brisset brings him back quickly, drops him into a claimer (16%) and is adding blinkers (23%). This WinStar homebred by 'Curlin' is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Embrace My Uncle) (5-1) - Gelding finished second here at this tag and trip Dec. 29 in his first in two months and first ever on conventional dirt. Raised in class Jan. 25, he tired badly facing the tougher competition. Back down to a $50K tag, he must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #4 (Blessed Journey) (7-2) - He moves back to the dirt after finishing third here going 8.5 furlongs for a $75K tag on the grass Jan. 10. It was his first off a Bob Hess Jr claim for $50K Dec. 13 and this grey gelding had some positive dirt experience during the Fall.