Top pick: #3 (PURPOSE) (6-5) - The probable favorite, gelding has finished second here in two straight at this tag and trip. Trainer Marc Vitali adds blinkers and has J.J. Castellano aboard for the first time. Three-year-old meets a weak field and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Valovich) (5-2) - He rallied to finish fourth going 6-furlongs at this level on Jan. 11. It was his first race in two months and he had some trouble at the start that forced him into a wide trip. Barn stretches him out to a one-turn mile and he looks like the main danger.
3rd pick: #7 (I'm Sensational) (8-1) - Colt stretches back out after rallying to finish 4th here at this price tag going 5.5-furlongs Dec. 27. Very inconsistent runner, he could factor with his best.
4th pick: #2 (Phil's Comprise) (20-1) - Home bred has yet to finish better than third in 20 lifetime starts. His latest was encouraging and he could grab a small slice at long odds.