Top pick: #1 (KING ROCK) (2-1) - The probable favorite, he's from the high-percentage barn of Jamie Ness and this veteran is stretching out off a solid second-place finish here at this level going 5.5-furlongs Dec. 26. The race was his first since mid-June and he's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Romantic Channell) (7-2) - He's rounding into his best form after coming off a 5 1/2 month layoff in late Nov. Consistent veteran, he ran second here at this leval and distance on Dec. 20. Looks like the main threat.
3rd pick: #3 (Leroy's Pride) (9-2) - Old-timer exits the same last race as "Channell" and held gamely to finish a close up fourth after setting a pressured pace. Fits with theses and his speed/stalking style is a plus.
4th pick: #2 (Darlin Jane) (8-1) - "Jane" rallied to finish a non-threatening third here at this level when facing males on Dec. 18. She's making back-to-back starts for the first time since the spring and is back in with her own sex.