Top pick: #8 (NEW ENGLANDER) - Hard-hitter finished a strong second last out when trainer Scott Lake dropped her to this $7500 price for the first time. Stalker draws outside of the speed and she should have a comfortable trip. The choice.
2nd pick: #3 (Merry Fox) - Her record on dirt (13-1-7-3)is excellent for a runner of this caliber. Has both speed/stalking ability and has finished second in her only pair at this $7500 level. Cutsback in distance, but her sprint record is fine (3-0-1-2).
3rd pick: #4 (Padach) - After running well in some high-priced maiden-claimers in California, she was sold privately and given five monts off by trainer Mark Shuman. Strategy worked as she broke her maide at Laurel on Jan. 3 in "snappy" wire-to-wire fashion. Drops in price for her first against winners and does so in just 10 days. Win contender.
4th pick: #10 (Elmer's Girl) - Slight improvement is noted in her last pair as she appears to be racing into shape after coming back from a 20-week layoff in the middle part of last year. Small slice is her ceiling.