Top pick: #4 (NUMBER FIVE) (5-2) - He rallied to finish fourth when debuting at this level going "down the hill" at Santa Anita Oct. 6. Home-bred has some traffic trouble down the stretch and was only beaten just over two lengths. Working well since and trainer Rick Mandella wins at a 22% rate second time out and at a 24% clip when streing runrs out in distance.
2nd pick: #7 (I'll Wrap It Up) (5-2) - Grey son of "Tapit" has improved in every start since his debut and comes off a career best when he finished second here at this level going a mile Nov. 16. Race was his first on the grass, first going two-turns, and colt is a win candidate this afternoon.
3rd pick: #6 (Pantera Rojo) (8-1) - Colt has been away slowly in two of his three starts and has run evenly in that pair. The day he broke cleanly, home-bred was beaten a neck on the Santa Anita dirt going a mile. Price play.
4th pick: #3 (Big Medicine Man) (10-1) - Son of "Indian Charlie" has raced evenly in all three sprints and will be trying a two-turn trip and is running on the grass, both for the first time. Bred to enjoy the changes and expect to be competitive today.