Top pick: #6 (SHOOTITINTHEBUSH) (7-2) - Gelding was bet down to 2-1 when debuting here at this level on Nov. 20th. He broke sharply from his inside post, set a quick & pressured pace, and held gamely to finish second. He's in the barn of leading trainer Bob Diodoro, has a bullet five-furlong work since his debut, and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (J P Rocker) (5-2) - The probable favorite, he's finished in both starts facing fellow Arizona-bred winners, and will face maidens this afternoon. Fast from the gate, he's working well, and is an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (G Faikir) (4-1) - He debuted in the same last race as "Rocker," and raced evenly while checking in fourth, three lengths back of that rival. He's worked fine since, has the rail, and is in a winning barn (Troy Smith).
4th pick: #7 (The Third One) (8-1) - Longshot ran evenly in his debut, then lost all chances last out when his rider lost his iron. Colt is working fast for this, and gets a rider switch this afternoon.