Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #4 (HARD TO COME HOME) (2-1) - A lightly raced 3yo by 'Hard Spun' is switching back to the dirt after tiring here going a mile on the grass for a $40,000 price tag Jan. 1. Home bred finished 4th in a dirt sprint at Los Alamitos Dec. 15, and the three runners in front of him that day all won their next starts.
2nd pick: #1 (Contagion) (3-1) - Well backed when debuting here at this $20,000 tag Jan. 29, he rallied to check in 3rd of 10, beaten by four lengths in a solid initial attempt. Claimed that day by Steve Knapp (22% angle), he worked him Feb. 7 and brings him back at the $20K he paid for him. A win candidate today.
3rd pick: #6 (Calder Vale) (8-1) - No speed type drops to this $20K tag for the first time. He rallied while wide to finish 5th of 11, missing by just under five lengths here going 5.5 furlongs for a $30,000 claiming price Feb. 2. I think he's a stretch factor at 5-1 odds or better.