Top pick: #9 (HI CARD GAMBLER) - California-bred gelding was claimed on Dec. 18 by the leading trainer here (Juan Guerrero) for $7500 and after a 5 week break returned at the same price and finished a pace-setting fourth, a race where I thought he received a weak ride. The barn brought him back 19 days later with leading rider Kendrick Carmouche aboard and this 4-year-old ran a career best in a wire to wire score. Reapeat of that today wins this.
2nd pick: #8 (Jazmaniansupertaz) - Also trained by Guerrero but they'll race as separate betting interests. This gelding has a ton of early speed and finished a pace-setting second at this level and distance on Dec. 7 before tiring badly last out. He returns today from a two month layoff with an excellent work 5 days ago. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Free Country) - Gelding from the barn of Scott Lake defeated the top pick on Jan. 25, then finished a close-up second last out as he moved up a level. Has a win on an "off" track in his past and he should receive a fast pace to rally into.