Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (LUNAIRE) (9-2) - Well bred colt has been freshened up since Dec. 1. He missed by a 'nose' that day going six furlongs in the Aqueduct mud. Training steadily at Palm Meadows, son of 'Hard Spun' stretches out a furlong, and has Castellano back on a re-ride.
2nd pick: #3 (Blind Ambition) (7-2) - One of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher, and the pair race uncoupled. Debuting son of 'Tapit' cost $400,000 last May as a 2yo in training. Working fast at Palm Beach Downs Pletcher (19% first out), he has John Velazquez aboard.
3rd pick: #11 (Commandering) (5-1) - The second of the Pletcher pair, he's finished 2nd in two straight. $340K purchase is working well for his first since Nov. 6 and draws a nice outside post for this seven-furlong distance. Win threat.
4th pick: #8 (Lookin for Eight) (4-1) - Colt chased the pace and held gamely to finish 2nd here when debuting at this level and distance Dec. 31. The finishing time was fast (1:22.80), and he's come back with a swift work since.
5th pick: #4 (Conquest Bandit) (8-1) - Longshot races off a trainer positive trainer change to George Navarro (a 22% winning angle). He's been working fast and races with blinkers on, a strong move by the barn (seven for it's last 12, 58%).