Top pick: #6 (NEVER ENDING LOVE) - California invader makes his first start since Nov. 19 and does so off a major barn switch to Mike Chambers. New trainer wins at a 34% rtae with new arrivals and has a pair of works showing since shipping here from Hollywood Park. Faces a very weak field and can win this for the high-percentage outfit (30% in 2011).
2nd pick: #4 (Shady Secret) - Nicely-bred filly ran evenly here facing males going two-turns on the grass racing for $30K on Dec. 30. Race was her first in 2 1/2 months and owner/trainer Tony Klenakis brings her back on short notice, drops her way down, moves her from the grass to the dirt, and shortens her up in distance. Win candidate, and I almost made her the top pick.
3rd pick: #9 (Sea of Beauty) - After shipping here from California, this filly had some traffic issues in her local debut on Dec. 16. That was her first for trainer Bob Diodoro, and filly has an excellent work on Dec. 31. Moves out in the gate and is a big player in this spot.