Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (ITALIANO) (5-2) - Strong finisher was a winner going 5.5 furlongs at Los Al at this level Dec 6, then raced both wide and evenly here when beaten almost 3 lengths facing tougher Jan 4. Back down in class, he should get a fast/and or contested pace to close into and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Oil Can Knight) (7-2) - He raced closed up before weakening late to finish 2.5 lengths behind 'Italiano' at this level Dec 6 at Los Al. In his follow up here Jan 12, 4yo checked in 3rd of 8, beaten just over 3 lengths sprinting on the grass for a $32K claiming price. Stalker is back on the dirt, draws well, and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Freiburg) (4-1) - The main speed, he raced wide while never involved sprinting on the Del Mar turf facing tougher Dec 1. It was his first since Sep 20, his first-ever on the grass and probably his last on it. 5yo had won three straight dirt sprints at Emerald Downs prior to that and stalker must be left in the win mix.
4th pick: #4 (Bouncing Around) (6-1) - No speed type won here at this trip facing $25K claimers Oct 20, then raced both wide and evenly in his follow up Dec 14 at Los A. Unless the pace is very fast/and or contested, believe a minor award is his ceiling.