Top pick: #3 (ATLANTIC PAWS) (5-2) - Veteran runs third back off a three month layoff and was competitive when facing much tougher here in his return pair. Speed/stalker drops down this afternoon and will be very tough to beat against this crew.
2nd pick: #4 (Sand Bandit) (5-1) - One-run type rallied to finish a non-threatening fourth here at this level and distance on Dec. 30. Race was his first in two months and his last win came at this price racing on real dirt in July.
3rd pick: #5 (Tour Ireland) (3-1) - He just missed "lighting up the board" last out when he lost by a nose at odds of 53-1 racing here at this level on Jan. 9. Effort came in his second start back off a three month layoff and this 8-year-old has back class running on the grass. Tough foe he repeats his latest "fig."
5th pick: #7 (Higher Peace) (15-1) - Speedy gelding stretches out in his second back from a six month vacation. Has the best early speed and he's won at this distance in the past. Longshot can factor if they leave him alone in the first half-mile.