Top pick: #7 (GHOSTLY DARKNESS) - Filly by "Ghostzapper" showed some ability last summer/fall and broke her maiden here on the turf fresh off a two month break Dec. 15. Lightly raced, in a good barn, and she has a nice work at Payson Park since her win Dec 15. Improving sort tries winners for the first time and can win this if she repeats her last effort.
2nd pick: #3 (Wear Red) - Home-bred looked sharp when breaking her maiden here Dec. 26 and she did so despite some traffic issues during the stretch run. In the barn of Bill Mott and leading rider Centeno is back aboard. Strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #8 (Fantastique) - She finished an even fourth of 10 here at this level and distance Dec. 26 and did so from a tough outside post. Race was her first off a 7 week freshening and this filly has a lot more speed than she showed that day. Can contend at a nice price.
4th pick: #1 (Juliet Tango) - Broke her maiden here three weeks ago and did so when trainer Jim DiVito added blinkers. She has the inside post, is showing steady improvement, and can factor, but will need to do better in this spot.