Top pick: #5 (FIVE STAR DAVID) - Probable favorite was beaten narrowly here on Dec. 18 in his first local appearance. Speed/stalker will be a handful if he repeats that effort. The top choice.
2nd pick: #11 (Sugar's T Bone) - Exits the same race as the top pick and he finished a pace-chasing fifth that day, five lengths behind him. Runs second off a four-month break and he has a shot if he moves forward off the return run.
3rd pick: #2 (Big Bruin) - Blinkers and lasix are added for his first start in seven weeks and first on a "poly" surface. He showed good speed in a pair on the Hawthorne dirt and is a contender today if he takes to the new surface.
4th pick: #4 (Buddha's Lyrics) - He finished an even fourth going a mile at this level Dec. 12 and will cut-back in distance for this. Goes third off a half year's layoff and should offer his best today.