Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #13 (SLOT) (4-1) - Colt has finished second in three straight starts, the latest coming here at this distance on a sloppy track Jan. 3. Stalker draws a difficult outside post and will need to secure a good spot heading into the first turn. Pletcher trained 3-year-old can win this if that's accomplished.
2nd pick: #6 (He Takes Charge) (9-2) - Competitive in both starts at this meet, $625,000 son of 'Tapit' finished third Jan. 3 and was just under a length in back of 'Slot'. He worked fast at the Palm Meadows Center Jan. 27 and is a strong factor today.
3rd pick: #3 (Locomotion) (8-1) - Longshot bobbled at the break in the same Jan. 3 contest as both 'Slot' and 'He Takes Charge'. To his credit he plugged along and rallied while wide to check in fourth, not far off of both those colts. Trainer Bill Mott adds blinkers and this son of 'Street Sense' enters off a pair of swift works at the Payson Park Center.
4th pick: #10 (Orbed) (7-2) - Colt rallied from close range to miss by just under a length going 7 furlongs here at this level Jan. 6. Promising son of 'Orb' sold for $525,000 as a 2-year-old in training last May and enters off a pair of solid works at Palm Meadows.
5th pick: #7 (Apostle) (15-1) - This son of 'Medaglia d'Oro' sold for a whopping $900,000 last March as a 2-year-old in training. He tired here after chasing a quick pace when debuting at 7 furlongs Jan. 6 and is stretching out in distance. He's a 'live' long shot in this spot.