Top pick: #3 (DERBY GOLD) (5-2) - Son of "Bertrando" has gone 3-1-1-1 since shipping from California and joining the barn of Phil Aristone. He just failed last out at this tag and trip Jan. 5 and is working fast for this attempt. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Belvedere Road) (5-1) - One of two entered by trainer Patty Farro and the pair race uncoupled. One-run type exits the same Jan. 5 contest as "Derby Gold" and was almost three lengths back of that rival after making a strong middle-move.
3rd pick: #6 (Royal Shamus) (10-1) - The second of the Patty Farro runners, he has sharp early speed and ran a career best when winning here at this tag and trip on Dec. 30 to clear the 2l condition. He tired badly last out after being sent hard from his rail post and the move out in the gate today is a plus.
4th pick: #4 (Draxhall Woods) (7-2) - Lightly-raced gelding has been showing steady improvement of late and last out missed by a "neck" here at this distance racing for a $16K tag. Claimed that day by "Penny Pearce," 4-year-old is a threat if he holds his form.