Top pick: #8 (SAMURAI JESS) (8-5) - The probable favorite, she set a fast and pressured pace and held gamely to finish 2nd when debuting here on Jan 31st for a $30K tag. The O'Neill barn brings her back quickly and a repeat of her initial performance will win this.
2nd pick: #12 (Alluvial Gold) (7-2) - Irish-bred filly will be dropping into a claimer and racing on real dirt, both for the first time. She ran on Feb 1st and has since come back with a very quick gate drill on the 14th, presumably with the blinkers on that she'll wear in "live" action for the first time.
3rd pick: #11 (As Usual) (6-1) - She rallied to finish a distant 2nd when racing here at this tag & trip 10 days ago. Much improved over her debut that day and a stretch threat in this spot.
4th pick: #7 (My Girl Candy) (9-2) - Debuting filly from the Sadler barn (18% first out) is working steadily for her first outing and need not be much to factor against this "ho-hum" field.