Top pick: #5 (ICE CREAM TRUCK) (4-1) - Strong finisher comes off a pair of sharp efforts at Hollywood Park, and was competitive here just prior to that. Strong finisher is in shape, meets a weak field, and can win this down the stretch.
2nd pick: #3 (Gentleman Pete) (7-2) - Gelding makes his 23rd career start, and enters off a fourth place finish at this tag on the Hollywood "poly" on Dec. 12th. It's Arias off and Bejarano on, so trainer Walt Solis must like his chances.
3rd pick: #2 (Deception Free) (6-1) - He's racing into shape since coming off a seven month layoff Oct. 17th. Gelding has finished second in three of four local starts, and two of those came at this distance.
4th pick: #14 (Italian Mirage) (8-1) - Lightly raced, he finished second here for a $30K tag Oct. 18th, then ran both wide & evenly facing tougher on the Hollywood turf on Nov. 28th. Drops, draws well, and moves back to the dirt.
5th pick: #1 (Coranto) (15-1) - Not a win candidate, but he has enough ability to get into the tri and/or super at a big price.