Top pick: #6 (WELCOME HOME RYAN) - Golden Gate shipper is much improved in his last pair and comes into this off the best race of his career, is working fast, and Pat Valenzuela gets aboard for the first time. Colt has a speed/stalking style and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Big Son of a Gun) - Another who ships south, he's been freshened up for the past 7 weeks by trainer Vlad Cerin and this gelding by "Kafwain" has a fine local record (3-1-2-0). Sharp at this time and Bejarao, who wins at a 43% rtae when riding for Cerin, is aboard. Almost put this runner on top.