Top pick: #9 (CRAFTY CONCORDE) (5-2) - Veteran has gotten better as he's aged, and this grey gelding has gone 17-7-5-2 over the past 16 1/2 months. Stalker was an easy winner here at this level and distance March 17, and earned a very lofty "figure." He moves from the rail to the outside, but he has enough early speed to not let that hurt his chances. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Ricky Tick) (5-1) - He's been freshened up since a poor effort here at this level going seven-furlongs Feb. 1st. Stalker had gone 8-4-2-1 prior to that, and they all came following a claim by Alf Velazquez last August at Monmouth Park. He has the rail, loves this surface (10-5-2-1), and a bullet half-mile breeze on April 5 suggests his readiness.
3rd pick: #5 (Charlie Bull) (12-1) - Speedy veteran loves this distance (13-4-3-4) and is racing first off a Chuck Carlesimo claim. Nicely spotted today, gelding raced evenly after a "stumbling" start for a $16K tag March 16, and this is the level he's done his best work at.
4th pick: #7 (Thunder Ball) (6-1) - Old-timer enters with two easy wins in a row, the latest just one week ago when he earned a very high "figure." Owner/trainer Mike Rodriguez brings him back quickly and runs him today where he can't lose him. Must be left in the mix.