Top pick: #1 (MISTER DISH) - Gelding has been much improved since coming back from a 7 week layoff late last year and also off a positive trainer change to Jane Cibelli. 4-year-old has the best early speed of this group and was an impressive winner last out at this tag and distance in his 2nd back off the short break. Has the rail and leading ride Centeno is back aboard. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Denali Slew) - Price-play runs third back off a five month break and he showed a much improved run in his latest. The leading trainer here (Jamie Ness) will stretch him out in distance and this 5-year-old gelding looks set for a big effort, and at a square price.
3rd pick: #4 (Jack's Roma) - Until recently he's been competitive facing much tougher on the grass and finished a fast-closing second here Jan. 7 at this level and distance when his barn dropped him down in price and switched him back to the dirt. Repeat of that recent effort makes him a stretch threat this afternoon.