Top pick: #5 (JOURNEY PROUD) (5-2) - $200K colt by "Harlan's Holiday" drops down to race for a $25K claiming tag in this spot. He was pulled up here on Dec. 23 and has been on the sidelines since. Working steadily and trainer Todd Pletcher has won with 13 of 39 starters (33%) over the past 13 1/2 months on this type of drop.
2nd pick: #6 (Tricoastal) (8-1) - Longshot is moving from turf to dirt and drooping down from $50,000 to race for a $25K tag. He ran evenly here on the grass Jan. 8 in his first since late Oct. Working nicely since his return effort and a win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #2 (Northern Call) (7-2) - Gelding is racing off a two month break and takes the same big drop as "Journey Proud." He has early speed and will be stretching out in distance. Dangerous if he gets an uncontested early lead.
4th pick: #3 (Splitter) (5-1) - He enters off an even effort sprinting for a $50K tag on Feb. 1. The "figure" earned was the highest any of these have reached. He's racing beyond 6-furlongs for the first time and is bred to handle the longer trip.