Top pick: #9 (APRIORITY) - Very lightly-raced colt clearly has plenty of talent, and is 2-for-2 since trainer Dave Fawkes switched him to racing on conventional dirt. Home-bred clearly has plenty of talent, and he'll be trying this one turn mile for the first time. Working fast for this, and he's the horse to beat in a very interesting allowance.
2nd pick: #10 (Groomedforvictory) - Veteran New York-bred, loves this one turn mile distance (9-5-1-2) and he's working fast for his first start since Nov. 13. Stakes winner many times in the past, has also won on this surface before. Major threat if he brings his best.
3rd pick: #3 (Poni Colada) - Races first off a Rick Dutrow claim, (a 29% winning angle), and veteran has been freshened up for the past month, (a 28% winning move). Six-year-old doesn't have any speed, but has a sharp work here Dec. 31, and should get a fast pace to rally into. Can factor if that's the case.
4th pick: #5 (Santana Six) - Was considered a Derby candidate at one time, but his career has been hampered by several layoffs. He's the only horse entered with more than one local win, and he had an extremely fast work here New Year's Eve. Has plenty of early speed and can factor if ready off a 9 1/2 month layoff.