Top pick: #1a (ZONGA ZING) - Hard hitting mare is (19-6-5-1) overall and until this past fall had been competing against better and had a lot of success. Claimed by trainer Jamie Ness on Oct. 5 for $25K, she won back five weeks later at Penn National at the purchase price. In her local debut she just missed at this level sprinting on the turf 11 days ago. She comes back quickly for this and Ness switches her back to the dirt and sends her a bit farther. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Music Please) - She's a more than ample entry-mate with "Zonga" and was a stakes winner earlier in the career racing against fellow Maryland-breds. Races second off a Ness claim and mare raced evenly last out going two-turns on the turf. She's a perfect 3-for-3 at this distance and completes a strong entry from the barn.
3rd pick: #5 (Bells of Concerto) - Nice mare won $63K in 2011 as she went (15-2-3-2) overall and closed out the year win an allowance win here on Dec. 22. Latest effort saw her weaken after setting a pressured pace racing in a starter-hdcp on the grass. Shortens-up for this, moves back to the dirt, and can factor with her best.