Top pick: #1 (BUYMEABOND) (5-2) - Gelding is dropping a bit in class and shortening up a bit in distance. He chased the pace while wide and weakenerd late to finish 7th of 11, beaten 4 1/2 lengths in a small stakes here on Feb. 1. He had a tough outside post that day and today breaks from the rail. Stalker is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Gab Power) (4-1) - Veteran rallied to finish second here at this distance facing weaker on Jan. 15. It was his first in 70-days and first since returning from Chicago where he went 3-1-2-0 during a brief summer/fall campaign. Strong finisher would love a fast and/or contested pace to develop.
3rd pick: #5 (Ice Cream Truck) (6-1) - He's finished fourth in three straight and has exchanged decisions with "Buymeabond" in two of those. Gelding has a flexible running style and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #4 (Avare) (8-1) - He was "pulled up" after 'hopping' at the start here on Jan. 8. It was his first in seven months and I'm not sure he received any conditioning benefit from it. Stakes winner in the past, he's a big threat if he can fire his best.