Top pick: #1 (THE LAURELS) (9-5) - He's improved since being claimed by ed Auwarter in late July and gelding comes into this off a pair of solid second-place finishes here at this distance. Two back he lost to a classier type racing at this price and last out fell a length short running for $20,000. Has the rail, drops back down, and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Oh So Debonaire) (7-2) - He's one of two entered by trainer Patty Farro and the pair race uncoupled. Barn moves him up in class after he ran a career best when winning at this distance racing for $7500 just nine days ago.
3rd pick: #3 (Bridled Energy) (5-2) - The second of the Farro pair, he races first off a claim (18% for Farro), and he brings a solid closing kick to the contest. New barn has freshened him up since Dec. 3 and brings him back at the purchase price.
5th pick: #6 (I'm Broke) (8-1) - Claimed two back by Scott Lake for this 412.5K tag, gelding tired racing for twice that price on Dec. 29 in his first for the new barn. They bring him back quickly, drop him to the claimed level, and he can factpr at a square price.