Top pick: #5 (EMPRESS WAY) - Lightly raced and well-bred, this filly by "Empire Maker" cost $320K as a yearling in 2008, but has been a major disappointment up to now. However, she is what she is and was an impressive maiden winner here Jan. 17 the only time that she's raced on conventional dirt. Sent to Golden Gate for her first start againist winners Feb. 26 she raced evenly and finished fourth of six. Good barn (Eoin Harty) ships her back and she's the horse to beat in this small allowance field.
2nd pick: #6 (Raebella) - Claimed Feb. 8 for $8K, filly won 25 days later in her first for trainer Rick Wise and he'll move her up in class this afternoon to try allowance competition for the first time. Daughter of "Menifee" has off track experience and the surface here was very muddy yesterday. Can contend from her outside post.