Top pick: #4 (AKKADIAN) - Lightly-raced colt by "Tiznow" looked very impressive in his maiden win at Santa Anita Feb. 24th, but was a bit hard to handle last out at this level in his first facing winners. Working fast since and he gets the call in a quality field entered in this allowance/optional claimer.
2nd pick: #3 (Special Kid) - Gelding finished close-up in late Feb. in the $100k Birdland Derby at Sunland Park, then ran evenly here at this level last out. Trainer Doug O'Neill moves him to the grass and 3-years-old is working fast. Contends this afternoon.
3rd pick: #7 (The Flying Whizzer) - Speedster was a bit "rank" in his latest, but is racing himself back into shape following a 5 1/2 month break and switching here from the east coast. Can factor at a nice price.