Top pick: #7 (CRAVING CARATS) (9-5) - Veteran was an impressive winner here at this trip March 24th. It was his first local dirt appearance and this 5-year-old enters as a fresh horse with only three starts since returning from a 2 1/2 month break in early Feb. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #2 (Small Moves) (2-1) - Speedy mare drops in class after finishing a pace-setting second here in a $35K stakes going 6.5-furlongs March 28th. Working fast since, the leading trainer at this meet (Bob Diodoro) moves her in with male rivals for the first time. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Echo Zulu) (6-1) - Capable 4-year-old goes turf to dirt, cuts back in distance, and moves up in class. He tired last out after setting a quick and pressured pace here on the grass April 20th. It was his first start in two months and his first at Turf Paradise. Stalker is 2-for-4 at this distance and can impact at a square price.