Top pick: #3 (FLUENT) (6-1) - Gelding showed an improved effort when racing on the grass for the first time Dec 7. Trainer Rick Dutrow has worked him 4 times in the past three weeks and the last pair were well above average. Barn drops him in price and has John Velazquez aloft.
2nd pick: #1 (Backseat Memories) (4-1) - He's been bet down to favoritism in both starts and rallied while very wide to finish 4th here at this price on Dec 15. He's worked twice since, draws the rail, and trainer Wayne Catalano has him making back-to-back starts for the first time.
3rd pick: #8 (Demographic Trend) (3-1) - He takes the big drop into claimers for the first time and this colt has been competitive in three of five outings facing tougher. He has early speed, is working nicely at Palm Meadows and must be left in the mix.
5th pick: #7 (Livingston Swagger) (6-1) - Home-bred will move to the grass, stretch-out in distance, and make back-to-back starts, all for the first time. Improving sort can factor at a square price.