Top pick: #3 (THE FED EASED) - The probable favorite finished a strong pace-chasing second here in a small field (5) when debuting on Jan. 2. Colt by "Montbrook" had some trouble at the start and his effort was excellent under the circumstances. He's come-back with a pair of fast drills and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Hughes Next) - Son of "Henny Hughes" raced evenly in a pair of starts in late August and Sept. at Monmouth and showed improved speed in his second outing. On the shelf since, he's training nicely at trainer Mike Trombetta's home-base of Laurel and looks set for a big effort. As a side note, he's owned by the Meyerhoff brothers who campaigned champion Spectacular Bid many years ago.