Top pick: #5 (DOUBLE NICKEL) (5-2) - He's finished second in three straight starts, the latest facing fellow Arizona-breds for an $8000 tag on Dec. 26. Barn drops him to a new low, gelding meets a pretty weak looking field, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Kris's Parker) (9-2) - He rallied mildly to finish third of seven, beaten three lengths when debuting here at this level on Jan. 13. Very good barn (Jeff Metz) brings him back quickly and 3-year-old is a threat with normal second out improvement.
3rd pick: #2 (Slew Dee Slew) (7-2) - He enters off a career best when beaten a "head" here at this level and trip on Jan. 13. He defeated "Parker" that day and is an obvious factor in this maiden contest.
4th pick: #4 (Erna Jillion) (6-1) - Interesting gelding moves back in with fellow state-breds after tiring last out following a a "bumping" incindent at the start when racing against $10K "open" company. Leading rider Carreno is getting aboard and that indicates that the barn likes this gelding's chance.