Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (LIAM'S PRIDE) (5-1) - Colt was a sharp gate-to-wire maiden winner here at this distance March 7, then checked in 4th of 10, beaten by 4.5 lengths at this level March 22. He enters off a bullet five-furlong breeze April 15, and I think he can take this at a square price.
2nd pick: #2 (American Butterfly) (9-2) - Colt by 'American Pharoah' has been competitive in all three sprints at this meet with his only poor effort coming in the 8.5 furlong Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 17. A win candidate.
3rd pick: #3 (Bubba Bling) (8-1) - He went 4-2-1-1 last year and won a sprint stakes for fellow Texas breds at Retama Park Sept. 11. He placed in two other stakes for owner/trainer Steve Asmussen and finished a close up 3rd in his seasonal bow in a $75K contest at Sam Houston Feb. 22. Interestingly, this his his sixth career start, and all have come at different tracks. Speedy sort must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #9 (Moonachie) (6-1) - New York-bred won his debut Aug. 28 at Saratoga, then finished 4th twice in three attempts in stakes for state-breds before ending his year Dec. 16. He's working fast, but this race drew tough, and he'll need to be 100% off the 4.5-month layoff to contend for the top spot.