Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (COST BASIS) (3-1) - This race drew a very promising group of lightly raced 3yos with four of the runners nominated to the Triple Crown races. This son of 'Into Mischief' has been freshened up since breaking his maiden going a mile at Aqueduct Dec 7. Both the 2nd and 3rd place finishers won their next starts with the show horse 'Modernist' winning a division of the Risen Star Stakes (G2) last Saturday at the Fair Grounds. Chad Brown has worked him six times at the Palm Meadows Center since Jan 11 and leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr stays aboard. Colt gets a slim edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Silver Ratio) (7-2) - From the Pletcher barn, this $320K son of 'Liam's Map' won his debut here going 6 furlongs in 1:10.40 Jan 11. He dug deep to prevail by a 1/2 length with the show horse almost 10 lengths behind that pair. A win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Violent City) (4-1) - This colt won his debut here at 6 furlongs by 4 lengths Jan 11 in the identical time (1"10.40) as 'Silver Ratio'. He draws a nice post for this 7-furlong trip and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #2 (Bad Little Beast) (6-1) - The field's lone two-time winner, he moves up in class after defeating fellow Florida breds going 6 furlongs Jan 18. It was his first since Sep 10, first on conventional dirt, and first for trainer Jay Servis. He may get a share, but believe he has to improve figure wise.