Top pick: #7 (CHINA HOLIDAY) (7-2) - Colt had an outside post and a "stumbling" start when debuting at Churchill Downs Nov. 2 racing for a $30K tag and after racing within range while wide he tired during the stretch run. Trainer Wayne Catalano (21% 2nd time out) has worked him twice at Gulfstream and home-bred by "Harlan's Holiday" can beat thse with an alert start.
2nd pick: #6 (High Red Star) (2-1) - He has the most experience (8-0-2-0) and the best overall form of those that have raced. All eight outings have come facing better and trainer Dan Pita drops him down a bit and has the former leading rider here (Dan Centeno) aboard. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Smokin'inthemeadow) (6-1) - Bred/owned/and trained by Gerald Bennett, the veteran has this colt working well for his debut and he's trained him at Thistledown, Presque Isle, colt has two local works since shipping in.