Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (BEBEAU) (4-1) - He's dropping back down while moving back to the grass for this attempt. 4yo by 'Bernardini' finished a distant third here at this trip for a $50K tag in an 'off the turf' contest Dec. 21. He had positive grass experience at Belmont in the Fall and I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #5 (New Year) (2-1) - The morning line and probable favorite, he's missed by a 'neck' the last two times he's been on the grass at this level. Speed/stalker should be involved every step and is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Hail Michigan) (7-2) - Nicely bred colt has been idle since tiring badly at this distance facing tougher on the Aqueduct dirt Nov. 10. Working steadily at Palm Meadows, trainer Barclay Tagg drops him into a claimer for the first time.
4th pick: #1 (Lion Charmer) (6-1) - This son of 'Animal Kingdom' has yet to finish worse than fourth in seven career starts. Six of those have come on the grass all at around today's $32K claiming price. Speed/stalker has the rail and must be left in the mix.