Top pick: #2 (I B MIKE) (7-2) - Speedy veteran ships from Golden Gate Fields where he set a quick & pressured pace before weakening late to finish third there for a $25K tag Dec. 26th. Claimed that day by Mark Glatt, he has him working fast, and this gelding is undefeated (3 for 3) racing on conventional dirt.
2nd pick: #8 (Frensham) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he's taking a big drop in class for this attempt. Strong finisher enters off a good fifth place finish in the G1 'Malibu" stakes Dec. 26th. Working fast for this, and he's won here in the past. Reddam home bred should get a fast and/or contested pace to rally into.
3rd pick: #5 (Valdirone) (6-1) - He has talent and a stalking style which should do well today. His career has been highlighted by both good performances and layoffs. Fits with his best, and he's been working fast at Los Alamitos.
4th pick: #10 (Sir Barclay) (10-1) - He's won two in a row, the latest here at this trip for a $25K tag Dec. 28th. Claimed that day by Bob Hess, Jr., he's freshened him up for 6-weeks and this gelding should factor if he can avoid a wide trip from this outside post.
5th pick: #6 (Rolo Tamaci) (6-1) - Very lightly raced, he's been freshened up since his maiden win at Los Alamitos Dec. 20th. This is a pretty tough spot for his first facing winners, and he'll need to step it up quite a bit.