Top pick: #6 (STEFFI) (2-1) - Daughter of "Grand Slam" was claimed in late Nov. at Churchill by Mike Maker for $30K and has been on the sidelines since. New barn wins at a 22% clip first off the claim and does so many times by dropping the purchase down a bit in price. Stalker is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Hot Coffee) (6-1) - Dangerous foe, she's gone 7-1-2-2 when racing on the dirt and has finished second in two of four locally. In shape, and strong finisher is a win threat.
3rd pick: #3 (Back in a Minute) (2-1) - Lightly-raced mare is stringing starts together following an 18 month layoff and she has the best early speed in this small field. In a top barn (Marty Wolfson) and she's in the three-horse win mix.