Top pick: #1 (SMOKE POLICE) (3-1) - Colt is racing first off a Terri Pompay claim (three for her last nine). Son of "Hard Spun" finished third last out going 7.5-furlongs on the turf Jan. 19. New barn moves him back to the dirt and Pompay has Castellano aboard.
2nd pick: #5 (Simon Bar Sinister) (15-1) - Clearly the main speed, he's dropping into a claimer for the first time. He weakened here sprinting against tougher on Feb. 4. It was only his second since coming off a 6 1/2 month layoff on Dec. 10. Trainer Marty Wolfson brings him back quickly and stretches him out in distance. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Summit Moon) (6-1) - Longshot ships from New York where he hadn't shown much in five starts facing tougher. He's training nicely at Palm Meadows and is dropping to a new low in price.
4th pick: #7 (Empire Road) (8-1) - He's racing for the first time since Nov. 17. Speed/stalker returns as a new gelding and has a sharp 5-furlong local work on Feb. 1. Well bred 4-year-old can factor if ready at a big price.