Top pick: #6 (HOBBY) - Logical selection finished a strong 2nd last out at this level and that was his best race since returning from a 2 1/2 month layoff in early December. Well-bred gelding defeated 6 of today's rivals in that contest and a repeat of that effort should win this.
2nd pick: #5 (Barbershop) - Looks like the main danger as this well-bred gelding faces winners for the first time after breaking his maiden here Jan 8. Lightly raced, he has room for more improvement, and leading rider Centeno is aboard again this afternoon.
3rd pick: #2 (Dixie Causeway) - He's improved slightly in each of his starts here this winter and last out finished an even 4th at this tag and distance, but was 6 lengths behind Hobby at the finish. Grey gelding draws a better post, today but still will need a career best to beat either one of the top two picks.