Top pick: #7 (CORTADO) - Improved effort is noted last out when trainer Bruce Levine added lasix as this gelding chased the pace and held well to finish second to a heavy favorite. Barn brings him back 5 weeks later and will stretch him out in distance for today's attempt. Looks like the main speed and he's the choice for the win.
2nd pick: #8 (Ultimate X) - Debuting colt by "Unbridled's Song" is working fast and frequently for his initial outing and his trainer Tony Dutrow is off to a great start in the new year. Home-bred draws a tough post but this field doesn't go very deep and he's the likely winner if the top pick fails.
3rd pick: #5 (Uniquely) - Colt has been competitive in all 3 of his starts and trainer Rick Vega will stretch him out in distance this afternoon and do so on a quick turnaround (13 days). Likes to make one run, but will need to do better today to threaten the top two picks.