Top pick: #10 (MIND THE MASTER) (8-5) - The probable favorite, he comes off a solid 2nd place finish here at this tag & has now run 2nd in both starts at this price-tag. Speed/stalker will be very tough to beat if he repeats his last "figure".
2nd pick: #8 (Patriotic Lion) (9-2) - This is start #17, but he has gotten minor awards in 6 of his races and last out he set a presured pace before tiring to finish 3rd, 3 1/2 back of "Master".
3rd pick: #5 (Hold'em Hustler) (8-1) - Price play exits the same Jan 21st start as both "Master" & "Lion" and he raced evenly while very wide after breaking from the outside post. Has a better starting slot today and can factor at a square price.
4th pick: #2 (Funny Man) (4-1) - He didn't show much when debuting on the Hollywood "poly" on Nov 29th, but it came facing special weights. Trainer Rick Baltas has had him on the shelf since and will drop him into a claimer, move him to real dirt, and stretch him out in distance.
5th pick: #9 (San Savino) (5-1) - He's raced evenly in a pair of sprints and is another trying a two-turn distance for the first time. Don't just dismiss.