Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #3 (AQUEMINI) (2-1) - Filly drops into a claimer for the first time. One run type rallied to finish 3rd here facing tougher Dec. 3 and has been competitive in each of her four starts, all on the grass. She gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Happy Motoring) (15-1) - Longshot showed nothing here going a mile on the dirt Dec. 18. $300,000 daughter of 'Harlan's Holiday' had been more competitive in her first pair on the grass racing on the NYRA circuit and has been training well at Palm Meadows.
3rd pick: #9 (Lady Nicky) (9-2) - She's moving to the grass and dropping in class for her second attempt. Filly showed little sprinting in her debut on the Belmont dirt Oct. 16, but is bred for the turf. Trainer Chad Brown (27% second time out) has won with eight of 21 (38%) with maidens racing in claimers for the first time. The presence of Javier Castellano is another plus.
4th pick: #2 (Farcical Feline) (15-1) - One of four fillies making their debuts, home bred by 'Kitten's Joy' is from a capable barn (Alan Goldberg). She's been working well above average at Palm Meadows since shipping south during November and may grab a share at a big price.