Top pick: #7 (A BLACK TIE CRYPTO) (5-1) - Lightly-raced Calif. bred is racing second off a seven week break and will be cutting back in distance. Four-year-old gelding tired here going a mile when facing just a bit better on Jan. 13. It was his first since coming from So. California and he can take this from off the pace.
2nd pick: #1 (Laker Pride) (7-2) - He tired after rushing up to attend the pace when debuting at Aqu. on Jan. 17 for a $25K tag. He was bumped at the break and forced into a wide trip that afternoon. Good barn (Jay Servis) drops him in class, adds blinkers, and he breaks from the rail.
3rd pick: #5 (Bachman Billy) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he was scratched out of yesterday's fourth race to await this spot. He's been competitive in four of his five sprints and last out ran third here at this tag and trip. Claimed that afternoon by Kate DeMasi, she's freshened him up for almost six weeks and colt should be in this from start-to-finish.
4th pick: #4 (Granville's Way) (8-1) - Not a strong win candidate, he's been somewhat competitive in his last three outings. May grab a small share at a square price.