Top pick: #1 (LORD NELSON) (4-1) - He's one of two entered by trainer Bob Baffert and will be the longer price of the pair. Son of "Pulpit" was a winner here going 7-furlongs in the G2 San Vicente stakes on Feb. 1. He's won 2-of-3 here, has the rail, a flexible style, and is working fast. $340K yearling purchase has a solid shot at pulling off an upset.
2nd pick: #3 (Dortmund) (8-5) - The 21st of the Baffert colts, he's a perfect 4-for-4 with two of those wins coming here. Son of "Big Brown" scored locally at this distance Feb. 7 in the "Bob Lewis" stakes (G3). The figure earned was huge and a repeat of it will beat these. Obvious win candidate at a short price.
3rd pick: #6 (Prospect Park) (4-1) - He enters off a career best when defeating weaker here going a mile on Jan. 30. Since an even effort when debuting at Del Mar in late July, he's gone 4-2-1-1 and the figure earned last out suggests he can be competitive if it's repeatable.
4th pick: #2 (Ocho Ocho Ocho) (9-2) - Another that's undefeated (3-for-3), two of those wins have been local. Un-raced since Nov. 22, he's working fast but gives away a recency edge to the other selections. Can factor if ready.