Top pick: #6 (BEHOLD A LADY) - Claimed in late August by Patty Farro for $7500, veteran mare was a winner at this tip on Dec. 19 in her first off a 4 1/2 month layoff. She loves this surface(14-4-2-4) and distance (4-1-2-), and is beautifully spotted in this starter-allowance. Lots of speed if all go, and that's perfect for her stalking style.
2nd pick: #3 (Awedacious Caren) - Speedy and lightly-raced grey mare is 7-for 15 on real dirt, and is in a very good barn (Chris Englehart). Very fast from the gate, and Carmouche is aboard for this mare's local debut.
3rd pick: #5 (Last Tyche) - Speed/stalker is (7-4-1-2) since switching to the barn of Sharon Banford a year ago and mare is another who loves this course (7-4-1-2) and she's 3-for-5 at this trip. Six-year-old should be involved from gate to wire.