Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (PERSONAL CONFLICT) (5-1) - Price play ships back from the Fair Grounds where he had no chance after being knocked off stride at the break going a mile in the slop at this level Jan. 11. Competitive in his first pair here, he has a good shot at scoring a mild upset.
2nd pick: #3 (Custom Bling) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he has sharp early speed and has finished 2nd in two of his last three here. The latest came at this distance Jan. 3 when he just failed to hold on after setting a solid pace. An obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Half of Tip Tap) (7-2) - Colt ran well facing tougher in a Fair Grounds grass sprint Dec. 29. He had missed by just under a length here at this level going 5 furlongs Dec. 14 and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #5 (Elbert) (9-2) - Home bred rallied strongly to miss by just under a length racing here at this tag and trip Dec. 16. It was a big move forward off his Sept. 25 debut and is a late threat if it's repeatable.