Top pick: #6 (El Gaucho) - Northern California shipper is a stakes winner on real dirt, as she won a small added money contest at Portland Meadows Nov. 17. Grey filly also broke her maiden on the dirt at Santa Rosa Fair Aug. 1. Draws a nice post for her style and she'll race in a claimer for the first time. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Saratoga Louie) - Gelding broke his maiden on the dirt at Monmouth July 9, and after a failed try in a turf stakes, trainer Pete Miller brought her to California sometime in the late summer. Well bet last out at Golden Gate, he tired after pressing a fast pace in a starter-allowance. Drops down for this, draws the rail, and Pat Valenzuela claims aboard. His early speed makes him dangerous in this spot.