Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #1 (SHANDLING) (8-1) - Longshot has the best early speed and is breaking from the rail in his first beyond 5.5 furlongs. 4yo is working fast, drops 5lbs, and think he's a threat to go gate-to-wire at a square price.
2nd pick: #7 (Mountain Spirit) (5-1) - He rallied to finish 4th of 9, missing by 2.5 lengths racing in a sprint here at this level Dec. 29. Back on a quick turnaround, he's stretching out in distance and is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Proud Pedro) (5-2) - No-speed type drops in class after missing by 4.5 lengths here in a G2 at this distance Dec. 28. Strong finisher is an obvious win candidate and will probably go favored in this spot.
4th pick: #2 (Sash) (6-1) - English import was 6 lengths in back of 'Proud Pedro' here in a G2 Dec. 28 in his first in three months and first in N. America. Colt was in good form before coming to California and is capable of factoring with some improvement.