Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (RIM NICK) (5-1) - Colt moves to the grass for the first time. Well backed in his first pair on the dirt, he tired after dueling through fast fractions when debuting at Del Mar Nov. 29th. He was only beaten by five lengths in a big field (12) that afternoon. In his local outing Jan. 9th, he raced both wide and evenly after 'bobbling' at the break. He's worked three times since, including a bullet half-mile Feb. 8th. Gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #11 (Blue Navy Blue) (8-1) - Another that's moving to the turf, $190,000 gelding by 'Flatter' is working very fast for his first since Dec. 20th. He rallied to finish a distant 2nd of 11 in his debut Nov. 14th at Del Mar. In his follow up race at Los Alamitos Dec. 20th, he raced wide and evenly facing an above average group. Bred to handle the grass, and his works are way too sharp to ignore.
3rd pick: #3 (Archaeo) (9-2) - From the same barn (Doug O'Neill) as 'Rim Nick,' this gelding has been competitive in all four grass races. Latest saw him set a very fast and pressured pace before hanging gamely for the place spot. He should be involved from gate-to-wire.
4th pick: #12 (Clear the Way) (15-1) - Grey colt was never involved while having a pretty rough go when debuting here on the dirt Jan. 9th. Bred for the turf, his trainer (Phil D'Amato) is having an outstanding meet. Can impact at a big price.
5th pick: #9 (Hello Bourbon) (15-1) - One of five making their debuts, he's by top grass sire 'Kitten's Joy.' Small barn (Dan Blacker) has him working steadily, and colt had a sharp five-furlong drill Jan. 29th.