This Saturday, thirteen IFBB fitness pros will take the stage at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center. The event is held in conjunction with the NPC Steve Stone Metropolitan, a national qualify show.

The odds-on favorite going into this show has to be Tanji Johnson. She was runner-up to Adela Garcia at the 2009 Olympia and notched a third place finish last month at the Fitness International. Will she leave the Big Apple with another pro win? Most likely but she’ll need to be spot on with her physique in this line-up. There are a number of women who could give her a run for her money in the two-piece swimsuit round.

Trish Warren displayed an improved physique at the Fitness International and secured her spot in the Olympia line-up by placing 4th, one spot behind Tanji. She actually beat Tanji in the physique round by five points at that show. Trish’s routine still isn’t at the level of Tanji’s but it’s drastically improved. On paper, Trish is a solid second battling it out with Tanji for the win.

The third and final Olympia qualifying spot could go a number of ways. Roll the dice on this one but you might have the best luck with your money on Bethany Wagner or Tina Durkin. Bethany’s physique has great structure and when she comes in conditioned she’s in the top call-out, no question about it. She didn’t have quite enough time to prepare for the Fitness International and finished in 11th place. Look for her to bring an improved physique and if she can avoid any wardrobe malfunctions in the routine round she will be a contender. During her Fitness Olympia routine, Bethany’s top wasn’t secure and after a couple of slips forced her to exit the stage.

Tina Durkin will most likely be one of the top names called out for the physique round and rightfully so. She has improved her physique over the last two years and if she’s conditioned will do well here. Tina’s routines have also improved and will be in the money if she’s mistake free during her performance.

Amy Villa-Nelson will be returning to the stage for the first time since the birth of her daughter. It’s been a couple years since Amy competed but she’s been a performer all her life. She’s a very animated competitor with incredible flexibility. She won’t be the girl with the biggest muscles on stage but she’ll certainly have the biggest smile.

Canadian’s Allison Either and Slyvia Tremblay will look to improve upon their pro debuts at the Fitness International. It will be a challenge for them to crack the top five in this line-up but anything is possible.

Kayde Puckett will return to the same stage that she earned her IFBB Pro Status. The Fitness Nataionals are held at this venue and it proved to be lucky before but can it again? She’ll look to improve her Fitness International showing. Kayde’s routine needs a bit of refinement but it is packed with a ton of strength moves.

Kristina Rojas has been training under the watchful eye of Ms. Fitness Olympia and Fitness International Champ Adela Garcia. Look for her to be a top five contender in this line-up. She placed 4th at the end of the 2009 season, just out of a qualifying spot at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup. She brings a high-flying, energetic routine to the stage and will be in the mix if her physique is up to par.

Lauren DeNapoli will be making her pro debut at this event. She won the medium class at the 2009 Fitness Nationals and lost the overall title to Kayde Puckett. The two will square off again this weekend. If Lauren can bring a conditioned physique, especially from the back, she could be in the mix. She’ll have her work cut out for her but she’s found success on this stage before and could do it again.

Stacy McDowell (formerly Simons) finished third at this event in 2007. Last year she competed in this contest and afterward announced her retirement. Retirement was short lived and we’ll see her take the stage once again. Stacy has some of the craziest flexibility you’ll ever see. Her routines are entertaining but her physique has kept her from a top spot the last couple years.

Julie Costa will be making history as the first bikini pro to compete in another division. Julie achieved IFBB Pro status by placing second at the 2009 Team Universe contest. It will be interesting to see how she stacks up against this competition.

Amanda Marinelli secured IFBB Pro status on this stage during the 2008 Team Universe event with a second place finish. Her best placing to date was 11th at the 2009 Europa Supershow and will have a battle cracking the top five here. Amanda’s biggest challenge to date has been her conditioning in her lower body.

My Top Five Predictions:
1. Tanji Johnson
2. Trish Warren
3. Tina Durkin
4. Bethany Wagner
5. Kristina Rojas

Who do you have for your top five? For more information on this contest and how to purchase tickets visit, bevfrancis.com.