Top pick: #4 (THE THIRD ONE) (5-1) - Cali. bred is racing into shape after coming back from a 7 1/2 month layoff on Nov. 19. He ran well last out at this level and tired late after showing fine early speed. Nearing his best and I like his chances.
2nd pick: #8 (Mo's a Wine Snob) (3-1) - He's dropping in class, shortening up in distance, and switching from turf to conventional dirt. This is his first ever on real dirt but a recent local sharp work indicates he'll handle it.
3rd pick: #11 (La Swift) (12-1) - Longshot has raced evenly in both starts at this level since coming back from a 6 1/2 month layoff. Stalker draws a nice outside post at this trip and can factor at a big price.
4th pick: #9 (Dark and Deep) (8-1) - Another longshot, he has early speed and last out finished a pacesetting third here at this level and distance. Effort was his best since coming back from a 2 1/2 year layoff in August and he once was a much classier runner.
5th pick: #5 (Merlot Brando) (20-1) - Short distance sprinter is stretching out in distance and racing with blinkers off. A small slice at a big price would appear to be his ceiling.