Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (MISS ALIPHANT) (5-2) - NYRA shipper drops in class, switches from dirt to turf, has blinkers added, and leading rider Luis Saez is aboard. Filly has early speed, breaks just off the rail, and I like her chances.
2nd pick: #5 (Pointedlee) (9-2) - She raced bot evenly and very wide when debuting against tougher in a dirt sprint at Churchill Downs Nov. 25. Trainer Dale Romans (18% second time out), switches her to the turf, drops her down, stretches her out, and has John Velazquez signed on.
3rd pick: #1 (Close the Deal) (3-1) - Stalker has been freshened up since finishing second at this level and distance Nov. 3 at Gulfstream Park West. She has the rail and trainer Dave Fawkes has Irad Ortiz Jr aboard.
4th pick: #4 (Newman's Fast Girl) (6-1) - Even-paced filly has had wide trips in all three starts and enters off a fourth place finish here at this tag Dec. 7. Tyler Gaffilione is back aboard after a two race absence and she ran her best with him aloft when debuting here Sept. 22.