Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #2 (SMOKEY IMAGE) (6-5) - Undefeated (5 for 5) colt returns to action for his first since Oct 30. Following his winning debut Jun 21, he's won four stakes in a row, two each facing 'open' company and fellow Calif breds. Working fast, he has a flexible style, and is attempting a two-turn distance for the first time.
2nd pick: #5 (Glory Bound) (4-1) - He's improved noticeably since stretching out around two-turns. Gelding is 3-1-1-1 since then and last out finished second in a $100K stakes for Calif. breds at Los Alamitos Dec 12. Training fine and speed/stalker should be competitive.
3rd pick: #4 (Demonslayer) (8-1) - Very lightly-raced, he's facing winners and going around two-turns both for the first time. He looked sharp breaking his maiden here going 6.5-furlongs Dec 27 and the second-place finisher that day won easily here this past Sunday.
4th pick: #3 (Record Highs) (10-1) - From the same barn (Carla Gaines) as 'Smokey Image,' he's been racing evenly since getting his maiden win here in early October. May grab a minor award at a square price.