Top pick: #5 (WINTER CANYON) - Gelding by "Storm Cat" cost a whopping $950,000 and still hasn't won as he just passed his fifth birthday. However, he's finished second in two straight here facing slightly weaker and is brought back in 11 days after setting the pace and weakening to finish second here racing for $8K going 6.5 furlongs on Dec. 30. Cuts-back a furlong and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Stubborn Streak) - Ships here from Hollywood where he ran 3rd, beaten a 1/2 length racing on the "poly" there for $20K Dec. 14. Drops, has a nice work at Santa Anita before shipping here, and races on real dirt for the first time.
3rd pick: #1 (Master Command) - Heavily bet in his debut here Dec. 19, gelding chased a very fast pace before tiring to finish fourth of eight, beaten 13 1/2 lengths. He was "bumped" at the start that day and still showed big speed. Has the rail and must be left in the mix.