Top pick: #6 (PEPPY BOLLY) (4-1) - Veteran mare was dropped down last out and finished second here for a $10k tag Dec. 31. It was her first "in the money" finish since last winter. Claimed that day by Bob Diodoro, he brings her back quickly and the high percentage barn wins at a 33% rate first off the claim.
2nd pick: #2 (Faith Proof) (7-5) - Speedy and lightly raced, filly has all four starts since coming off almost a seven month layoff in late July. The last two of those came on conventional dirt at Los Alamitos. Nicely spotted and an obvious win candidate at a short price.
3rd pick: #3 (J and S Express) (6-1) - Old timer enters off a pace-setting second place finish facing starter allowance foes at Los Alamitos Dec. 12. Good effort came fresh off a Kristin Mulhall claim . Eight-year-old mare has never won here but has gone 8-0-3-3 with all of those coming against tougher.