Top pick: #4 (GHOST RIDE) - $925,000 son of Ghostzapper tired after pressing the pace racing for $30K here going longer on the grass Jan 2nd. Race was his first local appearance and first off a trainer change to Jeff Metz. Drops, goes turf to dirt, and shortens-up a furlong. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #7 (Pushbackjack) - He weakened last out after pressing a fast pace from an outside post. Has some back class and his speed makes him dangerous against this crew.
3rd pick: #8 (Valderon) - Gelding rallied to finish 2nd in the same race as "Jack" and defeated that rival by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire. This is start #17, so he needs to do a bit better for a shot at the win.