Top pick: #5 (SHIRLEY ELIZABETH) (8-5) - Speedy gelding ships in from Remington Park where he's finished second in a pair of stakes for Oklahoma breds. He's gone (5-1-2-2) since tiring in his debut and is capable of running a sub :45 half-mile. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Ringaroundthemoon) (10-1) - Lightly raced and improving La.-bred tries winners after an easy win here at this distance to get his maiden win on Nov. 15. Has the rail, is in a good barn, and can impact at a nice price.
3rd pick: #2 (Doughtie Cash) (12-1) - Price play is another who's improving and he broke his maiden here Nov. 21 facing "open" maiden special weights. Don't just dismiss at long odds.