Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (ABUSIVE GARY) (5-2) - He's switching back to the dirt, shortening up in distance, and is dropping into a claimer for the first time. Competitive in one of three on the main track in the past, I give this 4yo a slight edge.
2nd pick: #2 (Grandpa Louie) (2-1) - Speedy sort tired badly as the 4-5 favorite facing tougher here Jan 5. Trainer Peter Miller drops him into a claimer (33%) and adds blinkers following a one race experiment without the hood in place. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Royal Aspirations) (7-2) - Away from action for just under a year, he missed by a 'head' here for a $30K tag facing 'open' claimers when last seen. Speed/stalker has worked a half-dozen times since Dec 17 and is dangerous if ready.
4th pick: #7 (Posty) (6-1) - Even paced in his first pair facing tougher, he's another dropping into a claimer for the first time. He draws a good post and is capable of factoring at a square price.