Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #11 (EARNER) (7-2) - Colt stretches out in distance after finishing a pace-pressing 2nd when debuting in a Fair Grounds sprint Jan. 18. Working fast, trainer Steve Asmussen wins at a 23% rate second time out and at a 21% clip on the stretch out. This Triple Crown nominee gets a slight edge.
2nd pick: #4 (Feathered Indian) (6-1) - Longshot is another stretching out in his second start. Well backed when debuting here in a sprint Jan. 25, he had an extremely wide trip from a tough post (11 of 12) before weakening during the stretch run to lose by nine lengths. In the barn of the leading trainer at this meet, Bob Diodoro, he has this $325,000 purchase working fast, and he wins at a solid 25% rate on the stretch out angle.
3rd pick: #6 (Absolut Unit) (4-1) - West Coast invader moves back to the dirt following a pair of 2nd place finishes on the Santa Anita turf. Working nicely on the main track, he must be left in the win-mix.
4th pick: #5 (Plane Talk) (12-1) - Longshot has blinkers on and is making his third start back following a five-month layoff. Colt has early speed and is another that is racing beyond six furlongs for the first time.