Top pick: #10 (LA MALINCHE) - Claimed Aug. 1 at Hastings Park for $5K her new trainer gave this filly five months off before she finished second here at this level Dec. 28. Barn brings her back quickly for this and she draws a nice outside post. Speed/stalker is the choice for the win.
2nd pick: #7 (Comic's Princess) - Improving mare faces winners for the first time after getting her maiden win here Dec. 20 in her 11th lifetime starts. Improving since she came here from California and did so with a switch to trainer Pete Axmaker. Nicely spotted in her first facing winners and she can contend at a nice price.
3rd pick: #3 (It's Partytime) - Well-bred mare chased and tired here at this level and distance Dec. 20, in her first start back off a 11 month layoff. Daughter of "Yes It's True", probably needed that race and trainer Steve Talbot brings her back in three weeks for her second start off the long break. Win candidate.
4th pick: #2 (Memorize) - Mare did not race well at all last out as a heavy favorite, but had been competitive in most of her recent starts with several of those facing tougher. Has good early speed, and can be in this from start to finish.