Top pick: #8 (NAKANO) (3-1) - Gulfstream invader is from the barn of Marty Wolfson and they seem to specialize in stakes runners. Filly comes in from Gulfstream off a third-place finish in a G3 stakes at this distance that was run in very fast time (1:08.60) for the 6 furlongs. Effort came off a two month break and she'll be tough with a repeat of it.
2nd pick: #2 (Redbud Road) (9-2) - She enters this off a very impressive local win that saw her run the 6 furlongs in 1:10 flat facing weaker on Dec. 5. By far her best since winning a stakes at Calder in may, and she's worked fine since.
3rd pick: #7 (Appealing Stella) (7-2) - Another coming from Gulfstream and she ran a career best when winning there in 1:09.20 on Dec. 7. Effort came off a a 70 day freshening and she can factor today at a square price.