Top pick: #2 (COPPER FOREST) - Veteran rallied to finish second here racing for $7500 13 days ago and was claimed by trainer Dom Galluscio. New barn wins at a 22% rate first off the claim and they raise him slightly in price. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Wildlee Special) - Lightly-raced gelding was an easy winner here on Jan. 1 facing weaker $7500 2l oposition and was claimed that day by the Chatterpaul outfit. They bring him back quickly and this 5-year-old has more early speed than most. Threat right back.
3rd pick: #7 (Giopi) - He chased and tired to finish fourth two back racing for $10K, then ran evenly while very wide at this price Dec. 31. He had a very tough outside post that afternoon and the field was tougher than this. Not often that you get a price on the Rudy Rodriguez barn. Contends today.