Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (NORTH END) (7-2) - Debuting filly has three straight quick drills on view including a sharp half-mile breeze Jan. 28 at Belmont Park. From the barn of Chad Brown (18% first out) he has leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
2nd pick: #7 (Maple Mo) (3-1) - Daughter of 'Uncle Mo' sold for a $150,000 as a 2-year-old in training last March. Un-raced in 2016, she finished a pace-setting third here when debuting at this level going two turns Jan. 2. Trainer Linda Rice ( a great 41% second time out), cuts her back in distance (23%).
3rd pick: #4 (Giant Ending) (8-1) - Freshened up since Nov. 18, filly is racing first off a Bruce Levine claim (18%). She showed some ability in her first pair and is working sharply for her return.
4th pick: #2 (Mazmania) (10-1) - Speedy and experienced, filly has finished second in three of five dirt sprints. She tired badly last out but had a wide post that afternoon. She draws much better and can be in this from gate-to-wire at a big price.
5th pick: #3 (A Lot of Fabric) (5-1) - $170,000 yearling purchase makes her debut in this spot. Working about average, trainer Gary Gullo has won with 3-of-13 first-time starters over the past 13 months.