Top pick: #4 (WEST BULL) (2-1) - Laurel invader is dropping in class and shortening up in distance. In a good barn (Jim Lawrence), this gelding raced evenly in his debut going 7-furlongs. He followed that up with a pace-setting 4th place finish going 8.5-furlongs last out. $75K yearling purchase worked well at Fair Hill the other day and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Calculus) (7-2) - Clearly the main speed, his saddle slipped last out and he was pulled up as the heavy favorite. He had gone 3-0-2-1 here prior to that and had a sharp work on Jan 3rd. A strong win threat.
3rd pick: #5 (Raw Talent) (5-1) - Florida bred raced wide & evenly when finishing 4th here at this level going 5.5-furlongs on Dec 13. It was his first since late October and first for trainer Diane Day. Colt was competitive several times at Gulfstream and has a bit of speed.
4th pick: #7 (James Alex) (6-1) - Debuting home bred has been in steady training since late Sep and hails from a capable barn (Ben Perkins Jr). His most recent drills are of the stamina building type but has some of the quicker variety prior to that. He need not be much to factor against this field.