Top pick: #3 (CONFISIO) (7-2) - He ships in from the much tougher So. California circuit where he's tired after showin good early speed in all four outings. Colt has a new trainer (Bob Henson) and he runs this new arrival without blinkers for the first time.
2nd pick: #1 (Rupert) (9-2) - Grey gelding made a strong and very wide move last out before "hanging" in the last furlong to chaeck in 5th of seven, beaten almost three lengths. He's worked finc since, has the rail, and is a win candidate at a square price.
3rd pick: #6 (G Faikir) (2-1) - Lightly-raced gelding ran second here at this level on Dec. 16, then raced evenly last out in a $35K stakes 12 days later. Drops, and is an obvious threat, but will be over-bet a bit.
4th pick: #2 (Next Up) (8-1) - Well-bred runner is from the same barn as "Rupert" (Dan McFarland) and the pair race un-coupled. Longshot hasn't shown much in his first pair, but had a fine half-mile breeze on Jan 8th.