Top pick: #1 (BRANDED HAND) (3-1) - Speedy son of "Hard Spun" showed a new dimension last out when he was forced into a wide trip and raced off the pace. He rallied to finish fifth of 14, and was only beaten two lengths. Colt moves to the rail, has worked sharply twice since, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Patent) (5-1) - Son of the mighty "A.P. Indy" broke his maiden with an impressive wide run at Aqueduct on Nov. 16th. Much improved since his debut on the Belmont dirt on July 4, and he's been working steadily at Palm Meadows since Dec. 17th. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Meuser) (5-1) - Grey colt by "More Than Ready" broke his maiden here on Dec. 15th, and was claimed that afternoon by trainer Ed Plesa, Jr. for the large sum of $75,000. He's been sharp in both starts, and was only a "nose" back of "Branded Hand" when debuting at Belmont on Oct. 24th.
4th pick: #6 (All Tied Up) (3-1) - He enters off a career best when he rallied in the final 100yds to break his maiden facing special weights at Aqu on Nov. 3rd. In the Pletcher barn, grey colt has worked a half-dozen times at Palm Meadows since coming south in early December. Must be left in the mix.