Top pick: #8 (RELENTLESS HEAT) (7-2) - He appears to be nearing his best following a pair of layoffs. Speed/stalker made a big early move last out to reach the front, but weakened late to finish third racing at this tag. Veteran Bill Spawr has worked him twice since, and 8yo gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Fonz) (3-1) - Strong finisher raced evenly after 'hopping' at the break racing here for twice this price March 14. It was his first in 2-months and he's been given another 21 off by trainer Mike Pender. Working well, and he's dropping to a new low.
3rd pick: #2 (Buffalo) (5-1) - Speedy Brazilian import drops and is stretching out off a pair of sprints. Another racing at a new low, and he's a win threat on the lead.
4th pick: #12 (Bixley) (4-1) - Lightly raced, he's won three of five starts, two on synthetic surfaces and one on real dirt. Stalker hasn't run since early July, but has been sharp off of layoffs in the past. His outside post is of no help.
5th pick: #13 (On the Key) (12-1) - He won a small stakes at Rilito Downs on March 29 in his first off an Ed Freeman claim. Gelding finished second of four in a low end starter-allowance at Turf Paradise April 14. May grab a share at a huge price, but the 13-post really hurts his chances.