Top pick: #6 (MR. CHASE) (5-1) - He's racing first off a seven-week freshening and is from a top barn (Mark Casse). Well bred, he's been working fast locally and is taking a big drop in class for this attempt. Has a shot at a square price.
2nd pick: #5 (Empire Cat) (9-2) - The field's most experienced maiden, he enters off a career best at Los Alamitos on Dec. 19. Racing at this tag and trip, he was involved in the pace from start-to-finish and missed by a "head." Obvious win candidate with Bejarano back aboard.
3rd pick: #9 (Increase) (7-2) - Stretch out sprinter has been sharp in both starts since dropping into claimers. Speed/stalker fits with these and is a win candidate if he handles the conventional dirt which he's racing on for the first time.
4th pick: #7 (Call it Good) (8-1) - He's racing in a claimer for the first time and also has been gelded since he last ran. He's been running evenly without threatening against the better competition and should factor today if he has any ability.
5th pick: #1 (Empowering Force) (15-1) - He's finished fourth in two straight at this distance. One-run type is working well here, draws the rail, and may grab a share at a big price.