Top pick: #1 (Decantered) (8-5) - The probable favorite, gelding missed by a "head" here at this tag and trip Jan. 13. It was his first since coming from New Mexico, first for trainer Angel Silva, and first ever at this $5,000 claiming price. Stalker has the rail and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #8 (Juan Tabo) (3-1) - He's in a good small barn (Jim Christianson) and this Illinois-bred has finished third here in two straight at this tag. His latest, a career best on Jan. 13, saw him finish 1 1/2 lengths back of "Decantered." Obvious contender.
3rd pick: #4 (Designs On Leather) (12-1) - Gelding showed absolutely nothing when debuting in early Sept. at Los Alamitos. On the sidelines since, he has a new trainer (Wade Rarick) and this 4-year-old by 'Malibu Moon" is taking a tremendous drop in class for this attempt.
4th pick: #6 (Boomwhacker) (12-1) - Long time maiden is stretching back out after finishing 5th of 10, beaten 5 1/2 lengths here going 6.5-furlongs on Jan. 23. Capable of getting a share of this at a big price.