Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (MIHOS) (7-2) - He won a $100K stakes here going a mile Jan. 5 and he had to overcome some heavy traffic issues to do so. It was his second straight win and this $320,000 son of 'Cairo Prince' has breezed three times since. With Jose Ortiz jumping off to ride the the heavy favorite #8-'Maximus Mischief', John Velazquez takes over. This colt gets a slim edge.
2nd pick: #8 (Maximus Mischief) (6-5) - The morning line and presumed heavy favorite, he's won all three starts and last out was a 2.5 length winner of Aqueduct's 9-furlong Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 1. He worked a bullet 5 furlongs here in an unbelievable :58 flat Jan 19 and it would be no surprise if he won this despite facing his toughest field so far.
3rd pick: #5 (Harvey Wallbanger) (12-1) - Longshot has been sharp in every start 4-1-3-0 and he broke his maiden at this distance Nov. 17 at Churchill Downs. Strong finisher has been freshened up since, is working fast locally, and think he's a late threat at a square price.
4th pick: #2 (Federal Case) (6-1) - It wouldn't be a 3yo stakes at Gulfstream without a Pletcher trained horse, and this promising colt has won both starts to date. $650K purchase won his debut going 7 furlongs Oct. 19 at Keeneland, then scored here going a mile Dec. 23. Working fast since, with John Velazquez opting for 'Mihos', Javier Castellano takes over the riding chores.
5th pick: #3 (Epic Dreamer) (15-1) - He had a rough trip when finishing fourth in the $400K Springboard Stakes Dec. 16 at Remington Park. He was a very sharp maiden winner at Belmont Park at this distance Oct. 26 and is capable of factoring at a big price.