Top pick: #1 (NOVATION) - Huge win last out on December 2, first off a Phil Aristone claim. He's given his new acquisition almost six weeks off, and that should help him avoid a bounce. Gelding's continued to work sharply, and think he'll win again.
2nd pick: #3 (Smirk) - He's finished second and third the last two times he ran for this $25,000 price. Likes the distance and he's a relatively "fresh" runner. Big threat.
3rd pick: #5 (Acclaimed) - Lightly-raced, gelded son of "Vindication", cost $430,000 as a yearling, but certainly hasn't lived up to expectations. He's dangerous at this tag as he just won his second race running at this price at Laurel.