Top pick: #9 (RELENTLESS HEAT) (9-2) - He raced evenly while wide when finishing a close up fourth here when facing a bit tougher on Jan. 29. It was his first since Dec. 12 and first off a claim by veteran Bill Spawr. Barn brings him back in nine days, drops him down a bit, and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #10 (Red N Black Attack) (5-1) - Gelding by "Big Brown rallied to finish second here going 5.5-furlongs when facing slightly better Jan. 16. It was his first back from a three month layoff and he's nicely spotted by trainer Doug O'Neill.
3rd pick: #7 (Senor Rain) (4-1) - Veteran ran second here at this $8,000 claiming tag on Jan. 10 going 6-furlongs. Claimed that day by Vic Garcia, this speed/stalker likes it at Santa Anita 8-2-3-0 and should be involved from start-to-finish.
4th pick: #6 (Nextdoorneighbor) (7-2) - Speedy sort chased while racing wide before weakening to finish 3 1/2 lengths back of "Senor Rain" on Jan. 10. He draws a better post this afternoon and must be left in the mix.