Top pick: #8 (KENAI WARRIOR) (4-1) - Stalking type finished second here at this pric-tag and distance on Dec. 13, then made a strong bid before weakening late to check in 4th of 9, beaten 2 1/2 length eight days later. Trainer Tony Pecoraro has given him almost five weeks of vacation and there's plenty of potential speed for him to rate just off of.
2nd pick: #4 (Pared ) (6-1) - Well-bred colt ran a solid third here at this tag on Dec. 20, then did not break sharply in his latest before rallying to finish 4th of 10, beaten almost 6 lengths racing for a $25K tag on Jan. 4. Claimed that day by Norm Pointer, he's worked him since and brings him back in three weeks.
3rd pick: #6 (Giant Cat) (3-1) - No-speed type has raced evenly in three straight at this meet and last out was only a length back of "Pared" after a poor start and a troubled trip. Stretch threat.
4th pick: #1 (Mo's the Man) (5-1) - Very lightly-raced gelding stretches out in distance and tries the grass for the first time. He was sharp last out sprinting on the Churchill dirt and draws the rail for this attempt.