Top pick: #12 (ALL STAR KITTEN) (3-1) - Daughter of top grass sire "Kitten's Joy" missed by a "nose" here at this level and distance on Dec. 22 in her first since a very troubled debut at Saratoga on Sept. 1. Ramsey home-bred has worked three times since that near miss and is the horse to beat despite this marooned outside post.
2nd pick: #7 (Calm Water) (4-1) - Juddmonte home-bred by "Empire Maker" showed some early speed before weakening to check-in third in a local "off the turf" contest on Dec. 29. Bred for the grass, trainer Bill Mott adds lasix and this filly worked very fast on Jan 14.
3rd pick: #4 (Hunting Hill) (8-1) - Daughter of "Hard Spun" has fine early speed and will be racing on the turf and trying a two-turn distance, both for the first time. Can impact at a big price.
4th pick: #1 (Joy's Kitten) (5-1) - Stronach home-bred is another by "Kitten's Joy" and she moves to the grass after an even and non-threatening effort when debuting here at this level in a one-mile dirt race on Dec. 27. In a very good barn (Marty Wolfson) and filly draws the rail.
5th pick: #8 (Guard the Lines) (15-1) - She's from the same connections as last year's Kentucky Derby winner "Orb" and is making only her second start. Filly ran evenly while wide when debuting at Belmont in late Oct. and will race with lasix administered in her return.