Top pick: #1 (ALAMO) (5-2) - $600K son of "War Front" has been bet in all three appearances while being competitive in each. He has positional speed, is working fast, and breaks from the rail. Bred to love the grass, he's racing on turf for the first time. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Opsec) (3-1) - Baffert runner enters off back-to-back career best 'figures.' He rallied to finish third on Nov. 15th at Del Mar racing at this level and distance on the grass. $220K son of 'Pioneer of the Nile' then ran second here on the dirt Dec. 28th. Dangerous foe.
3rd pick: #2 (To the Bar) (7-2) - One of a pair entered by trainer Ron Ellis. Gelding by 'Kitten's Joy' rallied to finish fourth following a slow start when debuting here in a dirt sprint Jan. 5th. Ellis is always better second time out, and this 4yo is bred to love the turf and the added distance.
4th pick: #5 (Wicked Finance) (8-1) - Price play has been saddled with tough posts in his last series of starts. To his credit, he's been competitive and the fields have been tougher than this. Draws well, has local experience, and can be a threat at a square price.