Top pick: #4 (PULPIT'S EXPRESS) (2-1) - He's been freshened up since late January after a close-up finish going "down the hill" on the turf. Five-year-old gelding is working very fast for his return and trainer John Sadler switches him to the dirt and stretches him out in distance. His record on the dirt is solid 5-2-0-1 and he gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Mind the Master) (7-2) - Speed/stalker was away slowly and checked in third of five, beaten four lengths racing on the local turf at this tag Feb. 23. It was his first race since early June and he's working very fast for this attempt. Grey gelding has won on this surface in the past and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Carlsbad Mountain) (5-1) - Lightly-raced, he tracked, bid, and weakened to finish a distant third here at this tag Feb. 22. Five-year-old gelding is another that's working fast for this and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #7 (Candy for Debbie) (7-2) - The main speed, "Debbie" ships from Golden Gate in shape and this tag 7 trip are fine with him. He's won 6-of-16 racing on conventional dirt and is dangerous in a field without much other early speed.