Top pick: #3 (BENCH THE JUDGE) - Speed/stalker tired after chasing a very fast pace last out racing for $20000. Effort was his first around two-turns since winning the Pomona Derby at Fairplex back in late Sept. of 2010. Trainer Doug O'Neill brings him back quickly (13 days) and drops him into a career soft spot. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Shem) - Veteran hasn't won since taking a small stakes at Portland Meadows back in April of 2010. Racing back into shape following some long layoffs, he raced evenly here in a "down the hill" turf sprint for $25K on Dec. 26. Good barn (Troy Taylor) brings him back with a drop to a new low in price, switches him from turf to dirt, and stretches him out around two-turns.
3rd pick: #5 (Morganouska) - Clearly the main speed, he tired last out facing slightly weaker after being involved in a speed-duel thru fast fractions. Race came off a 7 week break, and in this field his early first gear makes him dangerous.