Top pick: #1 (ICABAD CRANE) - It's been a long time since he's been in the winner's circle (April of '08) but he's run strongly in his last pair and they came off a 6 1/2 month layoff. Draws the rail and has the best last race by far. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #6 (Manteca) - The main speed he tired last out after setting/pressing a fast pace and checked-in third almost 11 lengths off of "Ichabad". His speed in this field makes him very dangerous.
3rd pick: #2 (Naughty New Yorker) - Millionaire hasn't won in two years, but he still brings a good game and has finished second in a pair of stakes on this surface this winter. Stretch threat.