Top pick: #8 (NOFINANCINGNEEDED) - Nice debut on Jan. 4 at Laurel racing at this level saw this gelding stay close after breaking from the rail and rally while racing between runners to finish third of nine, beaten a length. Trainer (Mike Trombetta) wins at a 31% rate second out and gets leading rider Carmouche to ride him this afternoon. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #11 (Leawood Teal) - Rare Cal-bred around these parts is working very fast for his debut. Coly by "in Excess" has three bullet drills in his last four works and draws a nice outside post for this trip.
3rd pick: #9 (Cheops) - Home-bred by "El Corredor" rallied to finish second in a small field (5) when debuting here on Dec. 12. Three-year-old from the barn of Scott Lake has a bullet 5-furlong work on Jan. 14.
4th pick: #6 (Indian Rules) - Price play rallied to finish fourth last out facing fellow Pa.-bred special weights in her first following a claim by Bob Reid. Colt faces tougher "open" foes today, but could grab a small slice at big odds.