Top pick: #6 (LOVE MY EMPIRE) (4-1) - Well-backed in both her starts here during the early fall, daughter of "Empire Maker" finished second in her debut beaten a 1/2 length, then checked in a wide third next out while losing by just under two lengths. Trainer Ed Plesa Jr. has her working sharply for her return and she's the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Al's Gals) (5-1) - Nice effort here Dec. 13 saw her save ground early, and rally strongly after moving off the inside to finish second of 11, beaten just under a length racing at this tag. Race was her first in four months and she's brought back in 20 days for this attempt.
3rd pick: #10 (Raging Atlantic) (3-1) - Daughter of "Stormy Atlantic" raced evenly in her debut on Dec. 7 on this surface facing special weights. In the barn of Todd Pletcher (35% second-time out) he brings her back quickly and drops her into a hig-priced claimer. Dangerous runner.
4th pick: #3 (Theresas Candyrose) (10-1) - Churchill shipper raced both wide and evenly there going two-turns on the dirt on Nov. 30. Filly had "won" her debut seven weeks earlier at Belmont racing on the grass, but was disqualified a week later for a medication infraction that day. Working well since arriving in Florida and must be left in the mix.