Top pick: #8 (DECANTERED) (5-1) - He broke his maiden last out and stretches out in distance in his first facing winners. 4yo has been competitive in four of five starts since coming to Turf Paradise from Sunland Park, and his speed/stalking style fits the race. Can take this at a square price.
2nd pick: #3 (Buck's Tornado) (6-1) - On the sidelines since Feb. 22nd, he had legitimate excuses in his last pair before the break. Cal bred had finished second in two straight here at this level and distance prior to that. A bullet half-mile breeze on April 8 suggests he's ready. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Gentleman Rick) (5-2) - 5yo is dropping in class and moving back to the dirt after a pair of good efforts on the local turf. He was a winner here at this tag & trip on Feb. 10th as he cleared the 2l condition. The 'figure' earned that afternoon was very high for a runner of this type, and he's a win threat if it's repeatable.
4th pick: #5 (Little Prince) (3-1) - Speedy sort set a quick pace before tiring late to finish second March 25 racing at this level and distance. He'd been competitive in a pair of sprints prior to that, and his early speed must be respected.