Top pick: #4 (SACRED OVATION) (5-1) - Gelding pressed a fast pace and tired facing tougher here Jan. 11 in his first off a Pete Miller claim and a subsequent seven week freshening. He's worked since and Miller drops him well under the claimed price. Has a solid shot at beating the presumed heavy favorite.
2nd pick: #3 (Bodaway) (9-5) - The probable heavy favorite, he was very impressive in a pair of starts last spring and broke his maiden in stylish fashion at Hollywood Park May 19th. The figure earned that day towers over these if he can repeat it off the long layoff and on real dirt.
3rd pick: #2 (JJ Be Chillin) (4-1) - Heavily bet when debuting here on Jan. 20, he looked beaten in late stretch but had a late surge to win by a head. Trainer Jeff Mullins brings him back quickly and has him well-spotted in his first facing winners.
4th pick: #1 (Cariboo Road) (20-1) - Longshot ran well here to finish second when racing for a $25K tag Dec. 28, then showed little last out when he checked in 10 back of "Ovation." Has the rail and may grab a minor award at a big price.