Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (OPPIDUM) (6-1) - He's had wide trips in his first pair and should like the seven-furlong distance of this contest. $400,000 son of 'Speightstown' has finished evenly in his two appearances and is training fast locally for his first off a two-month freshening. Can take this at a square price.
2nd pick: #8 (Curlin Rules) (5-1) - One of five making their debuts, $375K colt by 'Curlin' has a steady and well above average work tab showing. Trainer John Sadler wins at a 20% rate first out, and this colt looks prepared to factor.
3rd pick: #1 (Pete's Play Call) (15-1) - Colt had a rough trip when debuting Dec. 4th at Los Alamitos. Son of 'Munnings' received some betting support that day and is brought back quickly by trainer Mark Glatt.
4th pick: #3 (Danzig Candy) (9-2) - He broke poorly from the rail in a large field (12) when debuting Nov. 29th at Del Mar. Colt raced greenly once in stride and was only beaten by just under seven lengths. He's worked fast twice here since and 'hall of famer' Mike Smith gets aboard.
5th pick: #11 (An Khe Pass) (10-1) - He's one of two first-time-starters from the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer. Working above average, the 'hall of fame' trainer wins at a 30% rate with debuting stock over the past two years.