Top pick: #6 (ROCKY TIGER) (3-1) - Gelding is racing himself back into shape and showed a much improved effort here at this level on Dec. 7 in his second back from almost a seven month layoff. I like his chances.
2nd pick: #1 (Play N Win) (5-2) - Speedy grey gelding drops down and draws the rail. Capable of posting some fast splits and a win candidate at this reduced level.
3rd pick: #4 (Fort Bowie) (9-2) - Lightly-raced speed/stalker was an easy winner at this tag to clear the 2l condition on Nov. 11, then raced evenly in his latest facing 3l allowance foes. Drops back down, Stevens stays aboard, and gelding must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #3 (Sky Avenger) (4-1) - He's raced evenly in both starts since coming off a 10 1/2 month layoff Nov. 17. Fits with his best, this gelding is an uncoupled barn-mate of "Bowie."