Top pick: #1 (HERE'S TO MIKE) - He's moving up in class after finishing a pace-setting second here for a $7500 claiming price on Jan. 17th. It was his first back off almost a two month freshening. Lightly raced, he has the rail, and will prove tough to beat on the lead.
2nd pick: #7 (Cotton Valley) - Lightly raced, he broke his maiden here going 7-furlongs on Dec. 29th. It was his first since coming from California and first for trainer Lou Linder, Jr. On vacation for the past two months, he's nicely spotted in his first facing winners, and he was competitive on the West Coast at this distance last year. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Devils Pool) - Gelding drops in class after tiring last out going 7-furlongs facing Pa-bred allowance foes. It was his first off a Ramon Preciado claim and a subsequent two month freshening. He's in the 3-horse win mix.
4th pick: #5 (Malice) - Grey gelding has been on the sidelines since missing by a 'neck' here on Dec. 9th racing for a $10K tag. Nice effort and he can factor, but believe one of the top three selections is more likely to win this.