Top pick: #8 (COUP DE GRACE) (7-5) - Well-bred colt stretches out to a mile after a sharp debut win at Aqueduct on Nov. 9th going six-furlongs. Son of "Tapit" was bet heavily that day, and trainer Chad Brown has had him work three times at Palm Meadows for his first facing winners.
2nd pick: #7 (Prudhoe Bay) (7-2) - He also won his first start in impressive fashion, and it came on this surface going 5.5-furlongs on Nov. 10th. Colt rallied from 3-4 lengths off the pace, and this mile distance is withing his pedigree.
3rd pick: #3 (Hy Kodiak Warrior) (5-1) - Colt by "Kodiak Kowboy" has run well in all four starts, and has gotten better with increasing distance. He has a stalking style, runs with blinkers on, and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #9 (Gryvon) (12-1) - He was no match for "Warrior" last out, but he showed some speed before weakening to run third. Gelding draws a nice outside post, and may get a minor award at a big price.