Top pick: #7 (CENTRAL BANKER) (6-1) - One run type ships in from the Fair Grounds where he came up a "neck" short in the $100K "Thanksgiving" stakes on the opening day (Nov. 28th) of their long winter meet. That was a career best, and he should love the extra furlong he travels this afternoon.
2nd pick: #11 (Distinctiv Passion) (6-1) - Very fast & very talented, he's working bullets for his first since Oct. 5th, and colt has a fine local record (3-2-0-1). He draws a fine outside post to "gun" from, and he's a win candidate in this G1.
3rd pick: #9 (Zee Bros) (10-1) - Unraced since June 8, he tired that day after chasing a very swift pace in the G2 "Woddy Stephens" on the "Belmont Stakes" under-card. Working fast for trainer Bob Baffert, colt has run well here before (2-1-1-0), and is a big threat if ready.
4th pick: #10 (Bakken) (6-1) - Undefeated, two for two and untested, colt ships from New York and takes a huge step up in class. He's won both starts with ease facing weaker, and trainer Chad Brown sees fit to to "give it a go" in this $300K G1.