Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (CHUNNEL) (3-1) - Veteran gelding ships back from Tampa Bay Downs where he finished second at this distance facing a bit tougher Dec. 26. This Jersey bred was a stakes winner at Monmouth last August and stalker draws outside of the speed types. From the barn of leading trainer George Navarro this 8yo gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #3 (Face of Victory) (5-2) - Speedy gelding has gone 12-3-5-1 during his career, all on the So. California circuit. He won facing weaker Dec. 16 at Los Alamitos in what was his first following a Bob Hess Jr claim. He worked fast here Jan. 2 and it's noted that Javier Castellano is aboard.
3rd pick: #2 (Bad Student) (4-1) - Freshened up since a poor effort here in a $200K stakes on Climing Crown day (Dec. 1), trainer Mike Maker has him working fast and drops him back down in class. A 17-time winner in 56 starts on the dirt, Maker has Irad Ortiz Jr taking over the riding assignment.
4th pick: #5 (The Scotsman) (2-1) - A bit light on experience compared to many, he's gone 6-1-3-1 since being claimed by Oscar Gonzalez for $20K July 22. He fits on figures and must be left in the mix.