Top pick: #8 (SOUTHERN SEED) (7-2) - Filly raced evenly facing tougher on the Atlantic City turf April 25th in her first starts since being claimed by Mike Pino in late Nov. He brings her back quickly, drops her down, and moves her to the dirt. Barn wins at a 24% clip second off of long layoffs and she looks set for a big effort.
2nd pick: #4 (Sals Wonderfulgirl) (2-1) - The probable favorite, she ships down from New York for the high-percentage barn of Rudy Rodriguez. Fla.-bred has fine early speed, drops to a new low, and jockey Irad Ortiz is in for two months this afternoon. She finished second at Aqu. when racing for a $40K tag Feb. 8, and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #11 (Sophie's Secret) (3-1) - The field's most experienced filly 11-0-3-4, she disappointed as a heavy favorite here at this tag on March 16th. Claimed that afternoon by Keith Lebarron (22% first off the buy), she has races in her past on the west coast that would win this if repeatable.
4th pick: #5 (C J's Cheezit) (15-1) - Speedy sort faces a group where others will want the lead, so I believe a small slice is her ceiling.