Top pick: #5 (MY SWEET ADDICTION) (4-1) - Speedy filly tired badly after contesting a swift pace here on Jan. 19 in the G2 Santa Monica stakes going 7-furlongs. It was her first in almost 100-days and she's worked fast since. This is her first try going around two turns and think she'll take them wire-to-wire.
2nd pick: #7 (Taste Like Candy) (9-5) - The probable heavy favorite, stakes veteran is dropping in class after finishing second here on Jan. 11 in the $100K Paseana stakes. She has a fine local record 7-2-3-0 and is an obvious strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Melanistic) (9-2) - Veteran has a great record on the dirt 31-11-3-5 and is 15-4-1-3 here at Santa Anita. Mare is racing off a 3 1/2 month layoff and this field drew tough for the level. She needs her very best for anything more than a minor award.
4th pick: #6 (Magnificent Shirl) (5-1) - From the same barn as "Taste Like Candy" (Jerry Hollendorfer), she's shown ability on both turf and "poly," but is racing on real dirt. Mare fits on figures, but will need a career best to topple this group.