Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (GRAZENINAMERICA) (3-1) - Away slowly when debuting at this distance for a $20K tag Nov. 18 at Del Mar, grey gelding rallied strongly to finish 4th of 12, beaten 2.5 lengths. Bred/owned/and trained by Phil D'Amato, this 4yo state-bred can win this with a better beginning.
2nd pick: #5 (Union Leader) (7-2) - He ships back from Golden Gate Fields where he broke slowly and improved late to lose by 4.5 lengths facing tougher on the Tapeta surface there. In his only previous start on conventional dirt, he finished second at Fresno Oct. 8. A strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Rak City) (8-1) - Veteran maiden rallied to finish second of 11, beaten 6 lengths by a heavy favorite going 6 furlongs for a $20K tag Dec. 13 at Los Alamitos. He's worked twice since and can factor with a repeat of his latest.
4th pick: #3 (Sterling's Temple) (8-1) - Longshot raced evenly while wide going a mile Dec. 8 at Los Alamitos. It was his first race in three months first following a Genaro Vallejo claim, and his best race came at this distance when he missed by a 'neck' Aug. 8 at Del Mar. In the mix.