Top pick: #3 (STAKE HUNTER) (6-1) - Longshot is one of two enterd by trainer Jeff Mullins and both have a solid shot. Gelding tired after chasing a quick pace following a troubled start when debuting in a Hollywood sprint Dec. 12. Working fast since, the barn stretches him out in distance. Price play.
2nd pick: #8 (Through My Eyes) (4-1) - The second of the Mullin's pair, he ran second here in a dirt sprint on Jan. 1 in his first race in 11 months. Speedy gelding is bred for the turf ("Kafwain") and completes a strong hand from the trainer.
3rd pick: #5 (Thunder Cole) (4-1) - He runs off a two month break and this 4-year-old has been competitive in most of his turf starts. He tends to be one-paced and needs to do a bit during the stretch run.
4th pick: #7 (Do Some Magic) (15-1) - He exits the same Dec. 12 race as "Hunter" and raced both wide and evenly. Lightly raced, well-bred, and from a good barn (Marty Jones).
5th pick: #2 (Red Globe) (8-1) - No-speed type ships back from Golden Gate where he finished a non-threatening third racing on the "poly." Four-year-old has some closing kick and a fast and/or contested pace would help his chances out.