Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (EAGERLY) (3-1) - A NEW gelding, he missed by a 1/2 length Nov 23 at Aqueduct at this level going 8.5 furlongs. Competitive in all three grass attempts, he's training steadily at the Palm Beach Downs Center and I give this Pletcher trained 3yo a slight edge.
2nd pick: #4 (Always Misbehaving) (6-1) - Price play is stretching out in distance and is racing on the grass for the first time. Competitive in all three dirt sprints, he's bred to like the surface change and enters off a very sharp half-mile breeze on the Palm Meadows turf course Jan 8.
3rd pick: #1 (Or'effice) (8-1) - A $725,000 son of 'Medaglia d'Oro', he tired after chasing the pace to finish a distant 4th debuting at this level and distance on the Aqueduct dirt Dec 7. Well backed that day against a strong field, he's switching to the grass, has the rail, and has breezed three times here since Dec 29. The presence of Castellano is duly noted.
4th pick: #7 (More Chances) (9-2) - Competitive in all four starts at Woodbine, he's finished 2nd three times and did so sprinting on the grass Sep 2. A home bred by 'Hard Spun', colt has displayed a flexible running style and it's noted that leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr is aboard. This Canadian bred must be left in the mix.