Top pick: #9 (MUTAKA) (9-2) - Lightly raced and well-bred, he broke his maiden here racing for a $425K tag on Dec. 11, then tired to finish third at this level in an "off the turf" contest on Jan. 1. Gelding by "Mutakddim" has worked since and moves back to the grass for this attempt.
2nd pick: #8 (China Holiday) (3-1) - Stakes placed on this surface, colt is racing fourth off a 4-month break and is moving back to the grass for the first time since last spring. Son of "Harlan's Holiday" is in the win mix.
3rd pick: #7 (Between Dreams) - Lightly-raced 5-year-old gelding has some closing kick and last out finished an even third here at this level. The faster the pace, the better his chances.
4th pick: #4 (Abadoy) (8-1) - He's has shown considerable improvement since switching trainers late in 2013 and returning from a long layoff. He broke his maiden here on Jan. 8 and the "Figure" earned puts him in this if repeatable.
5th pick: #5 (Blue Sky Diver) (10-1) - Stretch-out sprinter hasn't run since Nov. 17 and has no published works showin. He clearly prefers the grass and his sharp early speed makes him a bit interesting.