Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (CANDY TYCOON) (6-5) - Colt from the Pletcher barn has been competitive on the NYRA circuit in all three attempts and he met much tougher fields than he faces today. A $170K son of 'Twirling Candy', he should break his maiden in this spot.
2nd pick: #4 (Point Driven) (5-1) - He raced both wide and evenly when finishing fifth of 12, beaten just under 7 lengths debuting in a dirt sprint Nov. 16. $160K purchase runs off a private trainer change to Jorge Navarro a 24% winning angle and he stretches this colt out in distance (21%). It's noted that the barn has Irad Ortiz Jr interested and this lightly raced colt is the main danger.
3rd pick: #7 (Rodeo Red) (10-1) - A gelding by the late 'City Zip', he's switching back to the dirt after tiring in a grass contest at this level and distance Nov. 2. He had nibbled in his previous pair, draws a good post at this one-turn mile, and may grab a share at a big price.
4th pick: #6 (Tiz Rye Time) (12-1) - A $200,000 son of 'Tiznow', he was never involved when debuting in a sprint Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. From a barn (Ian Wilkes) not known for first out success, his runners tend to get better with experience and this colt is bred to like this longer trip.