Top pick: #1 (SOLDAT) - He looked absolutely super in winning a first-level allowance at this 9 furlong trip Jan. 21 in his first race since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs. He's never run a bad race (6-2-4-0) and he has a versatile running style. Working fast at Palm Meadows for this and he draws the rail. Son of "War Front" is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Gourmet Dinner) - Colt by "Trippi" seems to thrive on activity and also seems to be getting better. He won the million dollar Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) last Nov. then was shipped cross country where he finished fourth in the CashCall Futurity( G1) at Hollywood Park on a synthetic surface that he didn't seem to care for. Latest saw him finish a close-up third here in the Holy Bull and last year's Eclipse Award winning jockey(Ramon Dominguez) is aboard for the first time. Colt is working fast for this and has a bullet drill 3 days ago. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (To Honor and Serve) - After finishing second in his debut at Saratoga, this son of "Bernadini" closed out the year with three wins in a row, including a pair of Grade 2 stakes, The Nashua and the Remsen, both at Aqueduct. In those two wins he defeated Mucho Macho Man who won the Risen Star Stakes (G3) last Sat. at the Fair Grounds. Working fast at Payson Park, but trainer Bill Mott may not have him at 100% off a three month break, as there are bigger races down the road. Contender nontheless.