Top pick: #5 (BLAZING PRIZE) (2-1) - Veteran gelding has finished second in two straight here at this tag and runs off a positive trainer change to Jorge Navarro following a claim on Feb. 16. New barn wins at close to a 60% rate fresh off the claim and this 8-year-old can get career win No. 17 this afternoon.
2nd pick: #1a (Shackles n Chains) (3-1) - He was originally part of an entry with No. 1 "Jacob's Kiss" but with the scratch of that barn-mate he'll go it alone. Lightly raced 5-year-old comes off a career best when he was beaten a neck here racing at this tag going 7 furlongs on Feb. 9. Big effort came in his second off a 3 1/2 month layoff and trainer Ron Chabot will stretch him out in distance.
3rd pick: #6 (Run Smart One) (6-1) - He raced evenly last out in the same Feb. 16 race as "Blazing Prize" and was 6 1/2 back of him with no excuse. Could grab a minor award with a bit of improvement.
4th pick: #4 (Iamtheone) (9-2) - Very consistent (15-5-4-2) gelding has won two of three here this winter facing weaker. He has a flexible style and can factor if he holds his form when facing tougher in this spot.