Top pick: #2 (MR ROMANCE) (5-2) - He looked great when breaking his maiden here by almost 11-lengths, going 6-furlongs for a $25K tag Jan. 3. It was his first off a two month break and his trainer (Wesley Ward) is having an outstanding meet 56-14-10-8. I like this gelding's chances.
2nd pick: #4 (Abiceb Brothers) (4-1) - Colt finished a distant second to "Mr. Romance" going 6-furlongs on Jan. 3. He returned on Jan. 29 and got his own maiden win going a mile. A career best, he's brought back quickly and Castellano stays aboard.
3rd pick: #7 (Off Duty) (5-1) - He's won two in a row and is one of only two entered with a win at this 7-furlong trip. The latest score came off a claim and was a career best. Factors if he holds his form.
4th pick: #3 (King Thief) (8-1) - Whitney home bred is the other entered win a win at this distance. Gelding by "Birdstone" has been freshened up since a poor effort at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 28. Working well at Palm Meadows, he can factor if he runs to those AM drills.