Top pick: #4 (BATTLED) (3-1) - Lightly raced and improving, colt takes on winners for the first time following a sharp maiden win here at this trip Dec. 26th. It was his second back from a 10 1/2 month layoff, and trainer Bob Baffert has him spotted well this afternoon.
2nd pick: #3 (Chief Lion) (4-1) - Much like "Battled," he comes off a maiden win here in fast time Dec. 26th. Working fast since, and this speedy grey colt should be involved from start-to-finish.
3rd pick: #9 (Door's Open) (7-2) - Speed/stalker is working fast for this and draws a fine outside post that gives jockey Corey Nakatani some early options. Fits, and is in the win mix.
4th pick: #7 (Camp Victory) (6-1) - Veteran has more wins (eight) than any other, and is racing off a three month freshening. Stakes winner several times in the past, he's slipped some over the past two years, but still is dangerous.
5th pick: #2 (Omega Star) (5-1) - Strong finisher comes off a solid second place finish here on Jan. 20th, and should get a fast and/or contested pace to close into.