Top pick: #8 (SANAD) (7-2) - He finished second here facing a bit tougher going a mile on Dec. 13th. He had a terrible post that day (14th of 14), so the effort was excellent. He's been gelded since that contest, and that's a 23% winning move by trainer Wesley Ward. He's having an outstanding meet overall (49-13-9-7), and this 3yo by 'Pioneer of the Nile' gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Spanish Armada) (3-1) - Unraced since last June at Belmont, he raced evenly in both starts at that time. Trainer Todd Pletcher is dropping him in class, and this 3yo by 'War Front' returns as a gelding. Pletcher has good stats in all the relevant categories, and Castellano is aboard.
3rd pick: #6 (Amazon King) (6-1) - He was only 1 1/2 lengths back of 'Sanad' on Dec. 13th, but disappointed as the favorite in his follow up start Jan. 18th. He's dropping down and is in a top barn (Chad Brown).
4th pick: #1 (Ebreeq) (6-1) - Lightly raced son of 'More Than Ready' is coming off almost a 100-day layoff. He has some speed, draws the rail, is dropping down, and has Lasix added.
5th pick: #4 (Umberto) (20-1) - Longshot has had very tough posts in both starts at this meet. Colt by 'Kitten's Joy' closed ground in his debut, then tired after setting the pace in his latest. Can factor this afternoon at a big price.