Top pick: #1 (SPICY SPIRIT) (5-2) - Claimed here in early Dec. by Mike Pino for $25K, he sent this daughter of "Officer" in for almost an eight week break at that time and brought her cak on Jan. 29 running for $30K. She broke on top, set a quick pace, and was beaten a head in a strong performance. The rail post and her early speed gives her a bit of an edge.
2nd pick: #10 (Exclusive Bull) (3-1) - She raced wide in the same Jan. 29 race as "Spicy" and held gamely to check in third, just under two back of that filly. Sold privately since that start, she moves to the barn of Steve Klesaris and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #9 (Good to Gold) (9-2) - Since returning from an 80 day layoff on Dec. 20 this filly has finished second in all three appearances. Stalker fits nicely with these and should get a solid pace scenario to rally into.
4th pick: #7 (Hallie Brooks) (12-1) - She finished a troubled fourth in the same Jan. 29 contest as both "Spicy" and "Bull" and that was her first start off a claim by trainer Ramon Preciado. Can factor at a nice price.
5th pick: #3 (Mellonbrook) (12-1) - Home-bred showed little when debuting here last July when facing special weights and trainer Tony Dutrow has her working sharply at Fair Hill for her return. Drops down, has lasix added, and she probably has much more talent than she showed first time out.