Top pick: #2 (LA MANO NERA) (3-1) - Grey gelding moves back up in class after finishing second here facing weaker on Feb. 12. It was his best since coming off a five month break on Jan. 1 and his second off a claim by leading trainer Bob Diodoro. The top pick, but reverse your exactas.
2nd pick: #1 (Midnight Officer) (5-2) - He had much more early speed than he's shown lately, but has been facing tougher. Colt by "Midnight Lute" has the rail, has beaten better in the past, and Scott Stevens stays aboard. Lightly-raced 4-year-old is a win candidate against this group.
3rd pick: #8 (Star of the Dia) (6-1) - Consistant gelding (13-2-6-2) was a winner here facing 2l allowance foes on Jan. 28 in his second back from almost a three month layoff. Very sharp at present and speed/stalker draws outside of the other front-running types. Win candidate.
4th pick: #5 (Magic Daddy) (7-2) - Very fast from the gate, he's been freshened up since a win here Dec. 20th fora $10K tag. Claimed that day by Molly Pearson, lightly-raced 4-year-old by "Scat Daddy" is a big threat if he gets an easy early advantage.