Top pick: #6 (NATHAN RIDGE) (7-2) - 16-time winner just missed (a nose) here at the level on Jan. 5. He did everything rigth, but today's rival No. 2 "Chiptease" got away with slow fractions while setting the pace and had enough left to hold him off. This afternoon's pace should be much quicker and this veteran will be hard to deny.
2nd pick: #3 (Awesome Mich) (5-2) - He ships back from Gulfstream where he chased while wide and tired to finish "off the board" on Jan. 3 racing at this level. Hard-hitting type was a winner here at this level and distance on Dec. 15 and is from the "hottest barn" on the grounds (Jamie Ness). Strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Chiptease) (9-2) - The main speed, he got away with slow fractions last out and had just enough left to hold off "Nathan" by a nose. Much improved since blinkers went on in late October and he'll take this field as far as he can.
5th pick: #1 (Powerpointer) (20-1) - Longshot runs second back off a two month break and will go turf to dirt after being "legged up" here facing tougher on Dec. 28. Can get a minor award with a late rally.