Top pick: #2 (LITTLE BIT LOVELY) (5-1) - Speedy filly set a fast pace and held gamely to finish second here at this claiming price going a mile on the dirt Jan. 30. Solid effort and grey filly will be racing on the grass for the first time. Bred to handle the new surface and she has a nice post to get right to the top along the hedge. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Fancy Malka) (5-2) - Stalker has been sharp in two straight here on the grass. She chased and held to finish second going 8.5-furlongs for a $75K tag on Jan. 30. Drops for this and $100K daughter of "Munnings" is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Gemonade) (3-1) - Daughter of "Lemon Drop Kid" cost $210K back in 2013 and is dropping into a claimer in her second start. She ran evenly while never involved facing special weights on Feb. 8. This particular drop is a strong one for trainer Todd Pletcher (32%).
4th pick: #4 (Little Mary Ellen) (12-1) - Filly races first off a Mike Trombetta claim and is making back-to-back starts for the first time. She's had excuses in her first two sprints and is stretching out in distance for the new connections. Price play.