Top pick: #8 (SARATOGA BOOT) (4-1) - He goes turf to dirt after a fine third place finish here at this level racing on the grass Dec. 17th. Veteran is more than capable on the dirt, and is stringing starts together for the Chamber's barn after a pair of layoffs.
2nd pick: #5 (Teddy the Bear) (5-2) - Gelding enters off a career best when winning here on the grass Dec. 10th. Capable on the dirt, and trainer Manny Ortiz had him work sharply on Jan. 2nd.
3rd pick: #1 (Maravillosa Marcos) (2-1) - Twenty-time winner is as "game" as they come, and has gone 4-1-3-0 here since coming off a pair of layoffs in mid-October. Has the rail, a speed/stalking style, and is an obvious win candidate.
4th pick: #6 (Layover in Seattle) (6-1) - He's been racing evenly lately at this level, but should get a solid pace scenario to close into. Fits, but others seem more likely to win this.