Top pick: #1 (Entry of 1-LOVER'S DREAM & 1a-AIR ALASKA) (5-2) - We'll take either half (or preferably both)of this Mario Serey, Jr. trained entry as our top pick. "Dream" has been freshened up since early Nov., and has had a good year (8-2-2-1), and "Alaska" enters in fine recent form and has sharp early speed.
2nd pick: #5 (Tetherball) (3-1) - Consistent speed/stalker has gone 7-1-1-2 since being claimed by Marya Montoya in early June, and will be moving back in with fellow Pa-breds in this spot.
3rd pick: #8 (Tsunami Stryker) (10-1) - She tired after setting the pace going two-turns last out in her first start in 3 1/2 months, and was claimed that day by Scott Lake. She's lightly raced, and can factor at a square price.
4th pick: #7 (She Craves Capital) (8-1) - She's from the same barn (Scott Lake) as "Stryker," and was claimed out of a sharp maiden win here going 5-furlongs on Dec. 2nd. Speedy, lightly raced, and must be left in the mix..
5th pick: #2 (Exercens) (10-1) - Well-bred filly takes a drop from $25K "open" claimers to face fellow Pa-breds, and will be cutting back in distance. Dull in her last pair, good barn (Lou Linder) tries to "shake her up" a bit.