Top pick: #6 (BRING IT) - Gelding races for the first time in 20 months, but is working very fast locally for his return. The latest drill, a bullet half-mile from the gate a week ago suggests he's ready for his return.
2nd pick: #9 (Skully Gully) - Another working very fast for this and he showed fine early speed facing special weights on the grass on Jan. 2. Takes a big drop, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Kumite) - Debuting gelding has been in steady local training since Nov and his trainer (Vlad Cerin) is having a solid meet. This 4-year-old's latest work is a near bullet here on Feb. 5 and he's a threat with a clean break.
4th pick: #4 (Our Last Monte) - "Monte" continues to race evenly and will be cutting back a bit in distance. It's certainly of note that a low-percentage barn has Marty Garcia take the ride.