Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (MAGICAL GRAY) (5-2) - This speedy filly has been freshened up since finishing second at this level sprinting on the Del Mar grass. A daughter of 'The Factor', she's been sharp in all four grass races and is training steadily. I give her a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Persepolis) (7-2) - A daughter of 'War Front', she sold for$525,000 as a yearling at Keeneland back in Sept. of 2016. She raced evenly in her only start last April and runs today off a private trainer change to Rick Mandella. I like her works heading into this and the fact that Flavien Prat is aboard.
3rd pick: #8 (Storming Lady) (4-1) - This $265,000 purchase has gone 5-0-2-3 in grass sprints and has run well here in both starts at this distance. Claimed last out for $50K by Alf Marquez, he moves her back up in class and she enters off a quick 5-furlong gate work Jan. 30.
4th pick: #1 (Mela Jones) (8-1) - A $170K filly by 'Pioneer of the Nile' she missed by a 1/2 length here at this distance for a $50K claiming price Jan. 19. It was her second back from a long layoff, first ever on the grass, and a career best. She moves up in class but must remain in the mix.