Top pick: #9 (DIAMOND JOURNEY) - Lightly raced filly has been heavily bet in her three local starts and she was an impressive maiden winner last out over a large field running for $30K. Speed/stalker draws outside of the other pace, Gomez stays put, and trainer Mike Puype has her conservatively spotted in her first facing winners.
2nd pick: #6 (Hanakkuh) - Speedy and the probable favorite, she set a fast pace last out facing better and held stubbornly to finish 2nd. Good small barn (Janet Armstrong) drops her down and Pat Valenzuela is aboard for the re-ride. I almost put her on top.
3rd pick: #8 (Portland) - Has some ability and last out wasn't beaten all that much by "Banana" and "Hanakkuh". Speed/stalker can factor with slight improvement.