Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (CRITICAL DECISION) (3-1) - Daughter of 'Shackleford' makes her local debut after tiring when debuting in a Belmont sprint July 3. Training steadily for her return, $77,000 purchase is in the barn of leading trainer Steve Asmussen, 22% second-time out and 19% off of long layoffs. Filly gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #8 (Proud Victoria) (4-1) - A debuting Arkansas bred, she worked a near bullet half-mile from the gate here Nov. 16 and the only horse that did so with a faster time won here last night for the same trainer (Ron Moquett).
3rd pick: #6 (A Fast Broad) (5-1) - She was involved every step when missing by a 1/2 length debuting here Sept. 19. However, in her follow up Oct. 30, she tired badly after chasing the pace while wide. Filly may not have cared for the muddy going that night and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #11 (Gurl You Fine) (6-1) - Nice debut here Nov. 16 saw her rallied while wide to check in 4th of 11, missing by just over 4 lengths. She runs off a private trainer change to Kevin Scholl, 3 for his last 8 (38%) with new arrivals to his barn.
5th pick: #9 (Miss Aggie Bling) (12-1) - Texas bred tired after showing good early speed debuting here Nov. 16. Home bred is capable of factoring at a big price with a bit of improvement.