Top pick: #4 (HOKUSAI) - One of two horses eneterd here by trainer Bruce Levine and they'll race uncoupled. Grey gelding chased a fast pace in his debut before tiring and will drop way down for his second start. Lasix is added, a strong 26% winning move by the barn. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #5 (Pawley's Porch) - Freshened-up for the past two months by trainer Chad Brown this gelding has a "bullet" drill from the gate Jan. 16 and Brown will take this runners blinkers off for this. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Blind Hope) - The second of the Levine pair races off a two month break and a trainer switch. Colt ran evenly in a pair of starts last year facing tougher and drops to a career soft spot. Win candidate.
4th pick: #8 (Exhalt) - He cost $130,000 and showed nothing at Laurel in his only start. Races off a two month break and a trainer switch to Linda Rice. Drops into a claimer and he should be competitive in this spot.