Top pick: #5 (PREFERENTIAL) (5-2) - English-bred mare spent the first part of her career in France and won two of six starts there facing mid-level competition. She took several starts to get her act together after coming to North America, but was much improved last fall when taking a $125K turf stakes at Keeneland going 12-furlongs. Working fast locally for her first since Oct. 20 and the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Aigue Marine) (6-1) - Another who is English-bred and french raced, she has early speed and is working fast at Payson Park for her first since early Nov. Mare likes these long distance affairs (4-2-0-2) and is a win candudate.
3rd pick: #8 (Viva Rafaela) (8-1) - Brazilian import has been a disappointment to date, but does have early speed and you get the combination of Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez at a big price. Mare can impact in this paceless event.
4th pick: #4 (Dame Marie) (10-1) - A bit on the cheaper side, she's the type that can "run all day" and when last in action, mare was a good looking winner over cheaper Nov. 29 at Churchill. Working fast and a threat at a big price with her best.