Top pick: #2 (GIANT'S PASSION) (8-1) - Home-bred has been freshened up since a "better than it looked" effort at Gulfstream on March 8. Son of "Giant's Causeway" had a poor post (12th of 12) and showed good speed before having some serious traffic issues. He moves to the inside, and trainer Chris Clement adds blinkers. Can impact at a big price in a "wide open" contest.
2nd pick: #8 (Boss Man) (4-1) - Gelding by grass champ "English Channel" has been freshened up since finishing second at this level going 1 1/2 miles on the Gulfstream turf March 19. He's finished second in both starts on this course, and missed by a "neck" here on Oct. 20th while earning the highest "figure" any of these has attained.
3rd pick: #1 (Hines) (3-1) - Grey colt by "Pulpit" cost $500,000 as a yearling back in 2012, and last out rallied from far back to finish second at Keeneland going 1 1/8th miles on the grass April 24. An obvious threat from the Pletcher barn.
4th pick: #12 (Strong Stipulation) (5-1) - Improving colt will be trying the grass for the first time. Son of "Lemon Drop Kid" is bred for the surface and comes off a rallying third place finish on the Keeneland "poly" on April 12.
5th pick: #6 (Special Agent) (10-1) - He's another that's bred for the grass ("Medaglia d'Oro"), which he's trying for the first time. He's been working nicely since arriving from Kentucky and is from a top barn ("Shug" McGaughey).