Top pick: #3 (INDIAN SMOKE) (7-5) - The probable favorite, grey colt ships in from Santa Anita where he raced evenly after breaking slowly when debuting there facing special weights Dec. 28th. Home-bred moves from the barn of Bob Baffert to that of Dan McFarland, and was working very fast before heading here. Blinkers go on, and grey 3yo is much the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Gross Misconduct) (5-2) - Gelding is working fast and runs with blinkers on in his first since debuting at Northlands Park July 20. He ran third there after a wide trip, and is in the barn of Bob Diodoro, the leading trainer at this meet. Believe he has the best chance at a possible upset.
3rd pick: #4 (Fire and Fury) (9-2) - Debuting gelding by speed sire "Rocky Bar" has some sharp local works and could factor, but this contest came up pretty deep for the level.