Top pick: #9 (CONGRATS SKI) - He showed speed before tiring last out and in his previous start he rallied after breaking slowly. Both of those came facing special weights and trainer Kate Walsh will drop him into a claimer for the first time. Can take this wide open contest at a nice price.
2nd pick: #3 (Towering) - After finishing fourth at Gulfstream on Dec. 8 this home-bred made his way from Florida to California and into the high-percentag barn of Mike Mitchell. New trainer has worked him five times at Hollywood Park since Dec. 24 and Mitchell wins at a 34% rate with new arrivals.
3rd pick: #1 (Midnight Con) - He missed by a neck here racing for $30K going a mile six days ago and was claimed that day by Doug O'Neill. They turn him around quickly, raise him in price, and shorten him up in distance.
4th pick: #8 (Visible Marq ) - Colt from the Baffert barn finished second in a small field (6) here on Jan. 5 and will drop down a bit for this. Working well and a threat from off the pace.