Top pick: #1 (PISTORIA) (5-2) - Once classier mare enters off a fourth-place finish here on Dec. 14. It was her first ever at this level and thought she received a rather weak ride. She draws the rail and trainer Alf Velazquez replaces apprentice Ortiz with veteran Beato. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Bellaridge) (6-1) - Veteran mare ships back from Laurel where she finished third of eight, beaten just over a length on Dec. 20. nice effort and this 7-year-old is another with some back class to call upon. She's raced well here in the past 10-2-3-1 and all of those came facing tougher.
3rd pick: #5 (Exclusive Promise) (7-2) - Speedy sort is racing second back off a pair of layoffs. She tired badly in her return effort facing tougher and is dropping back down this afternoon. Mare finished 2nd here at this tag and trip in October and should be involved from start-to-finish.
4th pick: #6 (Passionforall) (5-1) - Stalker is dropping back down and shortening up in distance. She's done some fine work locally 16-3-2-4 and can factor with her best.