Top pick: #1 (STARZILLA) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he set a quick & pressured pace and held to finish second of nine, beaten a length going a mile Jan. 29th. It was his first ever in a claimer, and he draws the ground saving rail.
2nd pick: #4 (Chapo) (8-1) - Longshot made a menacing move last out turning for home but flattened out to finish fourth at this tag going 6-furlongs. A career best, he's racing third back off a long layoff and is trying a two-turn distance for the first time. Dangerous at a big price.
3rd pick: #6 (Swing for Defence) (7-2) - He exits the same Jan. 29th race as 'Starzilla.' Racing off almost a 7-month layoff, he made a strong wide move around the far turn, but weakened to finish fourth. He's worked since, and it's apprentice Nicolas off and Victor Espinoza on.
4th pick: #8 (Crucero) (4-1) - No speed type tired racing for a $40K tag here on Jan. 16th. It was his first start in 11 months, and he was claimed that afternoon by Keith Desormeaux. New barn has worked him twice since, but drop him $20K under the purchase price. It raises a 'red' flag, but he has races in his past that would win this if repeatable.