Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (AIRFOIL) (9-5) - Hard hitting veteran has been claimed six out of his last seven starts. Competitive in all of those he was a winner here going 6.5 furlongs for a $10K tag Jan. 21. Claimed that afternoon by Peter Miller, he moves him up to a price he's won at many times in the past. New barn wins at a 25% rate first off the claim and this gelding will be very tough to beat in this spot.
2nd pick: #1 (Madelyn's Wild Max) (9-2) - Veteran has finished first or second in 20-of-44 starts on the dirt and was only a 'head' in back of 'Airfoil' when last in action Dec. 16. Stretch runner has the rail and should be making up ground in the late stages.
3rd pick: #2 (Next Speaker) (4-1) - Another hard-hitting older gelding, he ships down from Golden Gate Fields where he's gone 3-1-1-1 since late October. However, all 12 career wins have been on either synthetic surfaces (9) or the grass (3). He's been competitive many times on conventional dirt and finished second to 'Airfoil' Aug. 12 at Del Mar at this $16K claiming price.