Top pick: #4 (PLATED) (5-2) - Gelding by "Tiznow" cost $500,000 and is one of several well-bred runners that have proven to be major under-achievers. He did finish second two back the promising "Last Gunfighter" and last out he raced evenly after being bumped at the break. He has a new trainer (Tony Dutrow 34% with new arrivals) and he immediately adds blinkers. Gets a slight edge in a "wide open" event.
2nd pick: #3 (Piquant) (7-2) - Home-bred by "Arch" has gone (4-0-3-1) on the dirt and has more positional speed than most entered. He finished a close up third here last out in his second back off a four month layoff and is a win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #6 (Crazy Cousin John) (4-1) - Claimed out of his debut by "Lupe" Guerrero for $25,000 in late May, grey son of "Macho Uno" has run well in both starts for the new barn following a six month layoff. Speed/stalker finished a career best second here Nov. 25 and "necked" "Piquant" out of the place spot.