Top pick: #9 (ELUSIVE MANNER) - Beautifully bred three-year-old colt won here at this level Dec. 6, but was disqualified for not keeping a straight course down the stretch. Comes back two weeks later and gets an extra furlong to travel in this spot. Speed/stalker is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Macho Tres) - In-shape runner cuts back in distance today after running in five straight longer contests. Three-year-old is as fit as he can be, and has enough speed to be in this from start to finish.
3rd pick: #11 (Bird's ID) - Lightly-raced gelding by Birdstone raced evenly on a muddy track last out in his first start back off a half year's absense. Three-year-old makes back-to-back starts today and believe he has more talent than he's shown up to this point. Can contend at a nice price.
4th pick: #12 (Preacher's Kid) - Has good early speed and a nice post to use it from. Has some efforts in his past in Florida that make him a contender if he repeats them. He cuts back in distance for this and should be competitive from this outside draw.