Top pick: # (IN THE BUILDING) (2-1) - Lightly-raced and improving, he finished second of eight, beaten a length here when racing at this tag and trip on Christmas Eve. Gelding has been competitive in all three starts and has also been bet heavily in each. Looks like "graduation day."
Top pick: # (Payday Promise) (6-1) - He exits the same Dec. 24 contest as "Building" annd tired after being involved in a pace duel with that rival in the early stages. Effort came off almost an eight week break and he should be fitter for this attempt.
Top pick: # (Cheyene Gang) (10-1) - Colt by "Smarty Jones" has improved a bit since his debut and last out finished a non-threatening third here sprinting for a $15k tag. Good barn (John Servis) moves him up in price, stretches him out in distance, and he can factor with the changes.
Top pick: # (Ettleson) (4-1) - Deep closer missed by a neck here facing weaker on Dec. 22 and moves back up in price. Capable of getting a small share with a late rally, but the other selections are more likely to win this.