Top pick: #6 (DR. BALIN) - Drops back into a claimer after a wide try in the mud at the MSW level on November 25. He finished a strong second two back in a much tougher field than this. The choice with a "clean" trip.
2nd pick: #11 (Fire Chief Casey) - Raced evenly at Aqueduct 11 days ago in a race he may have needed badly off a six-month break. Draws a nice post and has good stalking ability. Quick turnaround for a good barn (Jim Lawrence) should be viewed as a positive.
3rd pick: #5 (Lexington Rae) - Has the most experience and he's finished in the money in four of 14 in mostly Jersey-bred affairs. Possible to crash the exacta party.
4th pick: #8 (Graziano) - Goes second back off a long layoff (six months) and will be cutting back two furlongs off the 1 1/8th mile effort. Blinkers will be added by a sharp barn (Tim Ritchey).