Top pick: #8 (STORMY DAN) (6-1) - He's the only horse entered with a win on "off" going, and last out finished second here on a sloppy surface on Nov. 1st. Strong finisher draws a nice outside post, and there's enough speed signed on to set things up for him.
2nd pick: #7 (Irish Smarty) (4-1) - Stalker has finished fourth in his last pair and each came facing tougher. Gelding by "Smarty Jones" fits with his best and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Linda's Last) (3-1) - Not sure what happened last out, but colt was "pulled up" just before the half-mile pole. He had missed by a "neck" in his previous race, and that came off a 7 1/2 month layoff. Trainer Ramon Preciado brings him back quickly, so it may have just been something minor. Dangerous with his best.
4th pick: #4 (Lemon Maker) (7-2) - Nicely bred gelding ships back from Penn National where he broke his maiden there at this trip on Oct. 30th. It was a career best overall, and this 3yo by "Lemon Drop Kid" still has room for upside.