Top pick: #2 (HE'S VERY RARE) - Price play showed some speed and finished evenly when going "down the hill" here facing "open" special weights Jan. 15. Grey son of "Unusual Heat" stretches-out in distance and there's not a lot of early speed signed on. Breaks near the hedge and can take this at a nice price.
2nd pick: #8 (Death Star) - One of a pair entered by trainer John Shirreffs and the two will race uncoupled. His main rider Mike Smith chooses this colt by "Quiet American" is improving and is working well for his first start since Dec. 26.
3rd pick: #4 (Fordham Road) - The second of the Shirreffs duo is the probable favorite after a near miss here at this level and distance Jan. 5. Five-year-old got an extremely fast pace to rally into that day and may not be as fortunate today. Win candidate, but his price will be very short.