Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (SOUPER CATCH) (3-1) - Nicely bred colt is facing winners for the first time. 3-year-old son of 'Bernardini' was an impressive maiden winner going 6.5 furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 26 in his second start back of a year's layoff. He still has room for upside and I like that trainer Mark Casse has John Velazquez aboard.
2nd pick: #3 (Rupp) (5-2) - The morning line favorite, home bred has been freshened up since Oct. 1. Stalker has finished second twice here when facing winners and did so at this distance Sept. 3. Working steadily and colt breezed a sharp 5 furlongs Dec. 8. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Niche) (6-1) - Veteran has some early speed and is training fast for his first since Oct. 28. He's won here in the past and 6-year-old is 2-for-5 at this distance. In the high-percentage barn of George Navarro and dangerous at a square price.
4th pick: #6 (Negrito) (4-1) - Old timer ships from the mid-Atlantic region where he's won 11-of-44 starts on the dirt along with 13 minor awards. Off form in his last pair, stalker had been sharp in five of six prior to that. Career sprinter moves to the barn of Vic Barboza Jr and he's won with 21-of-55 (38%) with new arrivals over the past 23.5 months.