Top pick: #2 (HANBANERO GOLD) (7-2) - One of two entered by trainer Patty Farro, and the pair race as separate betting interests. This lightly raced gelding broke his maiden here on Feb. 23rd in his first start since late May. He has a lot of room for upside and is conservatively spotted in his first facing winners.
2nd pick: #5 (Maxwell) (8-1) - Jersey bred is racing third back from a pair of layoffs and showed some improvement last out. He's nearing his best and that puts him in this.
3rd pick: #1 (Cherokee Pass) (5-1) - The second of the Farro duo, he ships from Gulfstream where he was unsuccessful in four starts over the winter. Has the rail, stalking speed, and can factor at a square price with a trouble free trip.
4th pick: #7 (King Gettigan) (6-1) - New York shipper has regressed since being claimed for $16K on Dec. 31st. He ran evenly last out at Aqueduct for a $12.5K tag and is dropping to a new low in this spot.
5th pick: #10 (Ay Up Papi) (5-2) - Lightly raced, he has some early speed and finished a pace-chasing third here at this level and distance Feb. 8th. His outside post is of no help and he'll need to really hustle out of the gate.