Top pick: #7 (LENDERS WAY) (9-2) - Vetern takes a big drop in class and draws a nice outside post at this 7-furlong trip. The last time he ran in a "straight" claimer, he was an easy winner here on Oct. 1st. Two of his three wins have come on wet tracks, and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Miss Montauk) (5-2) - Lightly raced and speedy, she was a sharp looking winner here for a $16K tag on Nov. 26th in her first off almost a five month layoff. Claimed that day by Patty Farro, mare raced evenly facing better just nine days ago, and is brought back quickly and drops back down.
3rd pick: #3 (Majestique) (6-1) - Away slowly in the same Dec. 29th race as "Montauk," filly raced evenly while never involved. It was her first in seven weeks, and trainer Lou Linder brings her back on short notice, drops her down, and adds blinkers.
4th pick: #5 (Wild Pantera) (12-1) - Longshot moves up in class after being claimed on Dec. 2nd for $7500. One run type is coming off a pair of layoffs, but a sharp half-mile breeze here Dec. 19th indicates he's doing well.