Top pick: #2 (HARASS) (8-1) - Price play just missed here at this level on Jan. 4. Stalker raced close up throughout and was out-finished by less than a length. Home bred was done in by a tough outside post (13th of 13) last out and draws a much better post this afternoon. In a capable barn (Ian Wilkes) and he adds blinkers for this attempt.
2nd pick: #3 (Broken Border) (20-1) - Big longshot raced both wide and evenly here in a disappointing effort at this level and distance Jan. 25. She's another that draws a better post and this New York bred showed some promise when debuting at Belmont Park in early Oct. May impact at a very big price.
3rd pick: #10 (Strict Compliance) (5-2) - The probable heavy favorite, she rallied to miss by a "neck" when debuting at Belmont Park at this level going 8.5-furlongs on Oct. 19. On the sidelines since, she's working steadily for Chad Brown and Castellano gets aboard for this filly's return.
4th pick: #1 (Charlevoix) (5-1) - Speedy sort has been competitive in both starts and is moving from the 12-post to the rail. In shape, working nicely, and she should be involved from start-to-finish.
5th pick: #11 (Magician's Vanity) (10-1) - Va. bred enters off a career best when she rallied to miss by a 1/2 length racing at this distance for a $50K tag on Feb. 15. She's moving up in class and draws a tough outside post. Stalker needs to avoid a wide trip for anything more than a minor award.