Top pick: #6 (ST. MALO'S GATE) (2-1) - Nice effort last out at this distance at Hollywood saw this daughter of "Dynaformer" rally from close range to finish second, beaten a 1/2 length. Much improved over her debut it came when trainer Carla Gaines added blinkers. She handles four members of today's field that afternoon and is the choice to break her maiden.
2nd pick: #9 (Top Kisser) (4-1) - Filly will stretch out in distance and go "poly" to turf after finishing a pace chasing 2nd at this level sprinting at Hollywood on Dec. 9. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has given her plenty of time to recover and filly is bred to handle the new surface.
3rd pick: #7 (Little Unusual) (12-1) - Deep closer was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths last out facing "open" special weight company going "down the hill" here just 9 days ago. Longshot moves back in with a rather weak field of Cal-breds and can factor at a big price.
5th pick: #1 (Passionville) (8-1) - Since finishing second here at this trip on Oct. 14, grey mare has raced evenly in her last pair and proved no match for "Malo" in either. Has the inside post, gets blinkers on, and is capable of getting a small share at square odds.