Top pick: #1 (APPEALING TALE) (5-2) - He's one of five entered coming off their maiden wins and he did so here at this distance on Dec. 29. Has the rail, a stalking style, and is working well for this attempt.
2nd pick: #6 (Code West) (2-1) - One of two entered by trainer Bob baffert and this $340K son of "Lemon Drop Kid" broke his maiden here in late October. He's working fast for his return and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Super Ninety Nine) (5-2) - The second of the Baffert pair, he broke his maiden here when debuting in early October, then just missed in the G3 Hollywood Prevue Nov. 22 in his first facing winners. He disappointed here in a sprint on Dec. 28 and will be attempting a two-turn distance for the first time.
4th pick: #4 (Persuasive Paul) (9-2) - Colt moves to conventional dirt for the first time since breaking his maiden on the local grass Jan. 12. He's worked well on this surface and could impact at a square price.