Top pick: #1 (GENTLEMAN'S HONOR) (8-1) - Beautifully-bred colt showed an improved effort last out at Aqueduct when making his second start. Son of "A.P. Indy" was taken back at the break and rallied to finish fourth of 10, beaten 4 1/2 lengths going a flat mile. He has a near bullet half-mile breeze on the deep surface at Payson Park on Jan. 10 and he's bred to love this longer distance.
2nd pick: #2 (Elmutahid) (10-1) - Longshot made his first four starts racing on the grass and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will move him to the dirt off a seven week freshening. Working fine at Palm Meadows and he's shown early speed in his turf races.
3rd pick: #5 (Boundless Heart) (6-1) - He was competitive last Nov. in a pair of starts at Churchill Downs and showed some early speed in both. Working fast locally for a top barn (Ken McPeek) and he's another that should be a square price.
5th pick: #3 (Successful Brother) (6-1) - Colt by "Invasor" rallied to finish second at this level going 7 furlongs at Calder on Nov. 18. Freshened up since, trainer Wesley Ward (who's having a great meet) will stretch him back out for this attempt.