Top pick: #6 (CIAO VALENTINA) (5-2) - California invader just missed here in her local debut on Jan. 4 when racing at this level. She rated early, made a strong sustained bid, and finished third, beaten a 1/2 length while a head short of today's rival "Acarpian." Runs second back off alomst a two month break and I like her chances.
2nd pick: #1a (Acarpian) (2-1) - As mentioned above she was a head better than "Ciao" last out and may have won that day if not for a "bumping" incident turning for home. Grey filly has shown dramatic improvement since switching to the turf and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Kochen Beki) (6-1) - Price play raced evenly in the same Jan. 4 contest as both "Ciao" and "Acarpian" and has improved since moving to the infield. Can see her grabbing a share at a square price.
5th pick: #7 (Little Bit Cactus) (10-1) - Another exiting the same last race as the top three picks and she did well to finish fourth in her first on the grass and first going two-turns. A minor award is possible.