Top pick: #8 (HABANERO GOLD) (9-2) - He's very lightly raced and hasn't seen action since late May when he was claimed at Arlington Park by trainer Patty Farro for $25,000. He raced evenly as the favorite that afternoon as a slight favorite. He was training for his return at Hawthorne before shipping here in late Jan. Bred for speed, he worked a local half-mile on Feb. 12th.
2nd pick: #12 (Bachman Billy) (3-1) - The probable favorite, he's been competitive in all five sprint races with his lone sub-par effort coming in lone two-turn contest. He's finished second & third in his last pair and runs today off a Kate DeMasi claim. Speed/stalker should be involved from start-to-finish.
3rd pick: #5 (Pittsburgh Phil) (7-2) - 'Phil' has early speed, is dropping way down in class, and shortening up in distance. Despite the 5-post, he's the speed nearest the rail, and must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #3 (Paper Street) (12-1) - No speed type has been freshened up for almost two months. He has some finishing punch, but a small slice at a square price is his ceiling.
5th pick: #2 (Portent) (15-1) - Pa bred is running second off a two month break. Fits with his best, but much like 'Paper Street,' a minor award would appear to be his ceiling.