Top pick: #6 (WAR RELIC) (7-2) - She's one of two fillies entered by trainer Tony Dutrow and the pair race uncoupled. Daughter of "Pulpit" showed immediate improvement when moved to grass and sent a longer distance on Oct. 11 as she raiilied to finish second at this trip at Delaware Park. Runs today off a seven week freshening and home-bred is working fast for her return.
2nd pick: #7 (Switcheroo) (4-1) - Speedy sort pressed the pace and held gamely to finish third of 12, beaten 1 1/2 lengths sprinting at Belmont in her first ever on the grass Oct. 25. Trainer George Weaver has worked her three times since, the latest a quick half-mile at Belmont on the Nov. 26. He'll stretch her out in distance and that's a solid 20% move by the barn.
3rd pick: #2 (Rose Petunia) (3-1) - Away slowly when debuting here in a dirt sprint Nov. 11, she raced wide and evenly while checking in third of seven, beaten 6 lengths. "Hall of Famer" bill mott brings her back quickly, switches her to turf, and stretches her out in distance. Bred to enjoy the changes and lasix is also added for this attempt. Dangerous.
4th pick: #4 (Hit Squad) (5-1) - Home-bred exits the same Oct. 11 Delaware race as "War Relic" and she made up some ground late and was 1 1/2 lenghts back of that rival at the finish. Working fine at her owners Sagamore Farm in Maryland and she'll a squarte price.