Top pick: #2 (MIDDLEBURG) (10-1) - Very consistent facing weaker, 5-year-old by 'Lemon Drop Kid' has a fine local record 4-1-3-0 and won his seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park March 29th. Stalker has a ground saving post, a recency edge on several, and has a solid shot at a big price.
2nd pick: #1a (Big Blue Kitten) (2-1) - The probable favorite, Ramsey home bred runs coupled in the wagering with #1 'Hyper.' This hard hitting veteran is a multiple G1 winner, is 4-2-1-0 on this course, and is 4-1-2-1 at this 1 1/8th mile distance. He's racing for the first time since Nov. 15 and has won off of layoffs in the past. I could have easily made him the top choice.
3rd pick: #5 (Mr Speaker) (7-2) - Phipps home bred won the first running of the G1 Belmont Derby on this course last July. Lightly-raced since, he ships from Keeneland where he rallied from far back to finish 4th in his seasonal debut April 15th. Race was his first in almost 6 1/2 months and was probably nothing more than a prep for this.
4th pick: #6 (Divine Oath) (5-1) - Stalker from the Pletcher barn, has raced evenly in his first pair of starts this year. Capable of impacting with his best and son of 'Broken Vow' looks set for a big effort this afternoon.