Top pick: #7 (DEUX EX MACHINA) - Lightly-raced gelding by "Storm Cat" moves up to face winners for the first time after a sharp maiden win here at this distance 3 weeks ago. Five-year-old is improving and that recent win came off almost a two month break and trainer Ed Coletti brings this runner back on short notice and has him nicely spotted this afternoon. He can win this at a square price.
2nd pick: #4 (Scorsese) - Speedy gelding started his career in California and broke his maiden there on real dirt in late Sept at Fairplex. Five-year-old was competitive in two starts at Hollywood Park facing winners and was privately purchased in early December and sent east to the barn of Phil Aristone. He's tired in both local appearances facing tougher and he'll have his price halved for this attempt. Has the best early speed in this small field, is the likely favorite and would be no surprise.