Top pick: #8 (CANDY FOR PASEANA) - Recent maiden winner at Turf Paradise did so going wire to wire in his first start back off a nine month layoff and first ever in blinkers. Well-bred runner is brought back quickly for this and his trainer is off to a fast start at this young meet. Good to see Bejarano take the ride and gelding is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Dontmesroundwitjin) - Races first off a Mike Mitchell claim (a strong 33% winning angle). Speedy four-year-old has run well on real dirt in the past, and has a pair of sharp local works since he wsa claimed Dec. 1. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #2 (Atticuspomponius) - Once classier runner finished second at this level Dec. 2 at Hollywood Park, in his first start back off a three month break. Race was his initial start off a trainer switch to Ron Ellis and it's good to see this long-winded runner come back quickly for this attempt. He should have little trouble handling this 9 furlong distance. Rare Montana-bred will need to step it up to challenge the top pair.