Top pick: #1 (PRAYER FOR RELIEF) - He could have been had for $50K the day he broke his maiden back in Oct. of 2010, but there were no takers and this colt went on to earn almost $1M in 2011. The winner of three derbys (Iowa, West Virginia and The Louisiana Downs "Super") he failed by a 1/2 length in the $400K Oklahoma version Oct. 16. Speed/stalker has the rail, is working fast, and believe he has only one strong rival.
2nd pick: #8 (Tapizar) - Lightly raced, talented, and he faces a bit easier after finishing an even fifth on Nov. 5 at Churchill in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile"(G1). Hw won the Sham S.(G3) here at this distance a year ago and is training nicely for this attempt. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Riveting Reason) - He hasn't been the same horse since coming back from an eight month layoff in early Oct., but he's training very fast for this and he missed by a nose on this surface last Feb in the G2 Bob Lewis S. Can factor this afternoon.