Top pick: #4 (RAINIER MISSILE) (6-5) - The probable favorite, gelding set the pace and held to finish second here at this tag going 6-furlongs on Jan. 14. Race was his first in almost 4 1/2 months and he was claimed that day by owner/trainer Chad Torevell. Veteran gelding meets a weak field and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Strong Suggestion) (5-1) - Mid-pack early in most of his races, 9-year-old has been freshened up since Dec. 8 after a sub-par effort here at this tag and trip. Cal.-bred had run second in his previous start and had a fine half-mile work nine days ago.
3rd pick: #2 (Barbaric) (6-1) - He exits a series of a half-dozen races facing a combination of thoroughbreds and quarter-horses and should appreciate the longer distance he travels today.