Top pick: #8 (TRICKMEISTER) - Undefeated (5-for-5) son of "Proud Citizen" was an easy wire-to-wire winner here in a small stakes facing weaker on Dec. 16. Race was his first in almost four months and he's working very fast for this. One of two entered here by trainer Rick Dutrow and the pair will race uncoupled. Five-year-old gets a clear class test today.
2nd pick: #5 (Soaring Empire) - Longshot tracked, bid, and tired slightly here in the Hal's Hope S.(G3) on Jan. 14 in his first start since July 31st. He loves this surface (6-2-2-0) and should be much sharper in his second off the layoff.
3rd pick: #2 (Mission Impazible) - Capable speed stalker from the Pletcher barn has abanked over $1M and draws a nice post at this distance. Training fine and he's (7-2-2-0) at this demanding 5 furlong trip.
4th pick: #7 (Flat Out) - His form has tailed since winning the (G1) Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Oct. 1. He had a "prep" for this in a turf race on Jan. 14 and he came back with a very fast 5 furlong work on Jan. 25. He's a major threat with his best.