Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #9 (PERFECT TRIP) (7-2) - Fair Grounds shipper was away slowly after being very nervous in the gate when debuting there on a sloppy track Dec. 29. He runs off a private trainer change to Justin Jeansonne (a 27% winning move) and he has Diego Saenz aboard.
2nd pick: #4 (My Hero Pappy) (7-2) - This gelding finished a pace-setting third here at this level going 7 furlongs Dec. 26. By far a career best, a low percentage barn has leading rider Tim Thornton aboard.
3rd pick: #2 (Gobler) (3-1) - A lightly raced gelding, he rallied to finish second here at this level and distance Jan. 5 at odds of 56-1. It was a big move forward off his first pair and he's a threat if it's repeatable.
4th pick: #10 (Up to Nothing Good) (6-1) - The only debuting maiden, he's from a good barn (Alan Klanfer) and is bred for speed. Trainer has won with 3-of-12 (25%) first-time-starters since the beginning of 2018 and this gelding need not be anything special to factor against this group.