Top pick: #8 (ESPRESSO SPRINGS) (7-2) - He set/pressed a fast pace last out and tired to finish fourth in a small sprint stakes here Nov. 29. Race was his first in almost three months and this surface loving (18-5-6-2) veteran is brought back quickly and draws a fine outside post.
2nd pick: #2 (Swiss Ski) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he's two-for-two here since returning from a 3 1/2 month layoff Oct. 19. His local record is great (7-5-1-0) and he almost never runs a sub-par race. Obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Tapedoro) (4-1) - Veteran has a good closing kick and last out rallied to finish a length back of "Swiss" in a solid effort. In shape, loves rhe local surface(15-6-4-1), and this is his best distance (8-3-3-1).