Top pick: #7 (CALIFORNIA CHROME) (5-2) - He comes into this off a career best whewn he was an easy 7-length winner of the $200K "King Glorious" stakes going 7-furlongs on the Hollywood "poly" on Dec. 22. Colt has worked three timws since and was beaten three lengths here following a slow start in the $200K "Golden State Juvenile" here going a mile on Nov 1st in his only previous race on conventional dirt.
2nd pick: #4 (Tamarando) (8-5) - The probable favorite, strong finisher has finished third here in a pair of stakes on real dirt and has gone 3-1-0-2 at this distance in the past. Working fast locally and an obvious win candidate turning for home.
3rd pick: #3 (Public Policy) (10-1) - Price play has been sharp on this surface at 2-1-1-0 and enters off a maiden win going 6-furlongs on Jan. 5. The Sadler barn has worked him twice since and stretches him out in distance as he moves way up in class.
4th pick: #1 (Oh Billy Billy) (12-1) - Speedy colt from the Baffert barn has the rail, is lightly raced, and working fast. Colt cost $400K as a yearling, so there are expectations.
5th pick: #5 (Lucky Views) (8-1) - He's been sharp in both starts, one each on turf and "poly" and will be racing on conventional dirt for the first time. Working fast locally and may impact at a big price.