Top pick: #1 (COURT VISION) - Liked this runner from the first time I saw him race back in '07 when he won the "Remsen" (G2) as a lightly raced two-year-old. Rarity these days as he's at home on turf, poly, and to a lesser extent on dirt. Grass is his best surface and he has multiple graded wins on that surface. Son of the "Mr. Prospector" stallion "Gulch," won his only pervious start on this course, winning the G2 "Jamaica" here last October going 1 1/8th miles. That set him up perfectly for his next start, the "Hollywood Derby" (G1) where he was victorious. Colt finished a strong third last out in the "Turf Classic" (G1) on Derby Day to a runner ("Einstein") who would go favored here. The top pick in another great betting race.
2nd pick: #5 (Gio Ponti) - Runs today off a three-month freshening by trainer Chris Clement. Won the important "Kilroe" (G1) at Santa Anita in his last start on March 7. He's run well off of breaks in the past a specialty of Clements. Likes this course (3-2-1-0) and was less than a length back of the top pick last October on this surface in the "Jamaica" (G2). Has become a one-run type after showing good positional speed earlier in his career.
3rd pick: #12 (Cowboy Cal) - Brings dangerous front-running capabilities to a race without much on paper. Just missed in the "Turf Classic" on Derby Day coming up a nose short to the mighty "Einstein". Consistent as they come on the grass (7-4-3-0) as he's training well for this attempt. Son of "Giant's Causeway" broke his maiden here in his second career start. Tough from on, or just off the top.
4th pick: #9 (Cosmonaut) - Tough runner hasn't run a "poor" race in recent memory, so I wouldn't expect him to do so today. Speed/stalker likes the course (6-2-2-0) and looked great in his seasonal debut in winning the "Fort Marcy" (G3) on this footing May 2. Should be racing close-up as usual and be very tough down the lane. No knocks from me in another contentious race.