Top pick: #3 (CANDY SWEETHEART) - Colt finished facing special weights when debuting on Aug. 13 at Del Mar, but regressed in his follow up pair. Working fast for his first start since Nov. 17 and trainer John Sadler will drop him way down for this attempt. Breaks from the rail, has good early speed, and is the choice for the win.
2nd pick: #13 (Remember Mike) - Very sharp last out off a two year layoff as he rallied to miss by a head at Hollywood racing at this price on Dec. 9. Working fine since, and trainer Melody Conlon has given him five weeks between starts to avoid a possible bounce.
3rd pick: #12 (Fine and Rare) - Speed/stalker runs third back off a 6 1/2 month layoff and last out he finished a close-up fourth at Hollywood at this price on Dec. 7. Gelding likes this surface (5-0-3-1), and looks set for a big effort.
4th pick: #6 (Aldadino) - Cal-bred goes turf to dirt, drops out of state-bred special weights, and finished third on this surface in late October racing for $40K. Threat from close range.