Top pick: #6 (BLAME JIM) (8-5) - He's one of two promising 3yos entered by trainer Todd Pletcher, and the pair race uncoupled. 'Jim' was heavily bet when debuting at Saratoga on July 19 and did not disappoint his backers. He went right to the front and went on to an easy three length score in wire-to-wire fashion. On the sidelines since, he's been training sharply at Palm Beach Downs for his return to action. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Stanford) (2-1) - The second of the Pletcher duo, he won his debut at Monmouth June 29 in come from behind style. He broke slowly that day, but rallied strongly to win 'going away.' Sent to Saratoga for a G2 stakes on Aug. 10th, he again broke slowly, but raced evenly while never involved against the tougher field. Unraced since, he's also training very fast at Palm Beach Downs for his comebacker.
3rd pick: #4 (Cool Man Walkin) (5-1) - Colt was a sharp wire-to-wire maiden winner here at this distance on Jan. 7th. He ran the 6-furlongs in 1:10.60 and earned a nice 'figure.' Son of 'Cool Coal Man' has a recency edge on the Pletcher pair and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #1 (Honest) (8-1) - He's cutting back in distance after tiring badly in a $100K stakes going a mile here Jan. 3rd. It was his first since his maiden win at Monmouth in late Sept., so he may have needed the race. Has the rail and may last for a minor award.