Top pick: #5 (CALL IVY) (4-1) - Filly is one of two entered by trainer Manny Ortiz and the pair race uncoupled. Home bred is moving up in class, switching from turf to dirt, and is shortening up in distance. She rallied while very wide to finish second here on the grass Dec. 8 in her first since late April. She's won a dirt sprint in the past and gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #7 (Tilted Lady) (5-2) - Recent maiden winner did so here in easy fashion Dec. 6 facing racing for an $8000 tag. Much improved since coming off a 3 1/2 month layoff and switching to the barn of Jeff Metz. Speedy sort is a win threat right back.
3rd pick: #6 (Hittin N Kickin) (5-1) - The second of the Ortiz fillies, she's very light raced and running second off almost a 7-month layoff. Speedy 3-year-old went evenly in her return and has worked since.
4th pick: #4 (Jila's Berry) (8-1) - Veteran mare has as many career wins (7) as the rest of the field combined. She enters with two in a row over weaker but her latest earned a figure that fits with this group. Stretch threat.