Top pick: #2 (SMOKIN SURPRISE) - Speedy and lightly-raced Michigan-bred set the pace and held on stubbornly to finish second here March 31st facing tougher. Race was his first off a 70 day break and this gelding will be very tough to beat as owner/trainer/breeder Gerald Bennett drops him down a bit.
2nd pick: #4 (Thrill Run) - Price play adds lasix after chasing and tiring last out when he had a very tough outside post. Gelding broke his maiden here in his previous start and did so off a 29 month layoff (a very rare feat).
3rd pick: #9 (The Great Zamboni) - He looked sharp when breaking his maiden here on March 1st, and has shown fine early speed before weakening in both follow-up races at this 2l condition.