Top pick: #9 (SCHATT THE BANDIT) - Debuting gelding is in the hottest barn at the meet (Nick Canani) and his works are above average. Trainer has won with four of eight "firsters" this year and jockey Paco Lopez has won with 10 of 17 mounts for Canani in the past two months. The top selection.
2nd pick: #11 (Valid Ocean Pass) - Claimed in late Dec. by Mark Vitali this colt had all sorts of trouble here in a race on Jan. 14 and still finished fourth of 12. Has a bullet drill since and looks set for a big effort.
3rd pick: #8 (Ace Pilot ) - Colt rallied into a fast pace here Jan. 14 to finish second at odds of 113-1. Race was his first off a 70 day break and his barn brings him back quickly for this. Stretch threat.