Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (IRISH HEATWAVE) (8-1) - Longshot cuts back in distance while facing winners for the first time. Colt broke his maiden going a mile facing fellow Calif.-breds in his grass debut Nov. 3 at Del Mar. He worked four times here during December and gets a slight edge at a big price in a wide-open contest.
2nd pick: #2 (Teacher's Treasure) (7-2) - Speedy gelding switches to the grass while traveling an additional furlong after a sharp gate-to-wire maiden win sprinting on the Del Mar dirt Nov. 18. He's clearly improving, is bred for the surface switch, and is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Takeo Squared) (5-1) - The field's most experienced runner, he's shortening up in distance and is back in with fellow Calif.-breds this afternoon. He's been competitive in three straight stakes going a mile facing 'open' company and must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #7 (Scouted) (8-1) - Another switching to the grass, this $100K son of 'Twirling Candy' broke his maiden going 5.5 furlongs on the dirt Dec 8 at Los Alamitos Race Course. He earned a nice figure and is dangerous if he handles the turf.
5th pick: #12 (Offshore Affair) (15-1) - Grey colt has been competitive in five straight and just missed going a mile here Nov. 3 in his only previous attempt on the grass. He fits on style and may get a share at a very big price.