Top pick: #4 (RASPBERRY ALA MODE) (5-2) - Speedy gelding ships in from Santa Anita where he's been tiring facing tougher. He races off a major trainer change to Bob Diodoro. New barn will win the title at this long meet and Diodoro wins at a 26% rate with new arrivals. Working well since coming to Phoenix and he runs at a new low in value. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Dunne for Now) (5-1) - Lightly-raced and well bred, he's racing first off a Jared Brown claim (24% winning angle). Speed/stalker is moving from turf to dirt and shortening up in distance. His lone win came on the local dirt at this distance Dec. 16. Factors today.
3rd pick: #8 (Readmetheodds) (6-1) - Colt hasn't raced since last June when he finished second at this level at Northlands Park. Nicely bred and he's in a high-percentage barn (Greg Tracy). May be using this as a prep for the upcoming Western Canadian racing season.
4th pick: #5 (Gray Elixir) (7-2) - Veteran speed/stalker is moving from turf to dirt and cutting back in distance. He's capable on the local dirt 7-1-2-1 and has finished second in both tries at this distance.