Top pick: #9 (KHARAFA) (5-2) - Very consistent veteran went 7-2-2-2 in 2014 and earned just over $250K. On the sidelines for a half-year, he was a very impressive winner of an allowance race at Keeneland in his return to action April 19. He won this stakes a year ago, and his record on this course is outstanding (13-6-4-1). Trainer Tim Hills ships him up from his home-base of Monmouth where this 6yo has worked fours times since his Kentucky score. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (King Kressa) (3-1) - With the late scratch of #5 With Exultation, this veteran speedball's task was made easier. He's now the main speed and is at one of his favorite distances (7-3-2-1). Lightly raced over the past 17 months, he ran evenly here in a 7-furlong stakes facing 'open' company April 29. Race was run in very fast time (1:20.60) and should set him up perfectly for this attempt. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Lubash) (2-1) - The field's only millionaire, he's as consistent as they come. He finished an even third in a $100K stakes at Aqu April 19 in his first since winning a G3 in late Nov. at Gulfstream Park West (the former Calder facility). One run type has gone 8-4-3-1 over the past 17 months and was only a length off of 'Kharafa' a year ago in this stakes.
4th pick: #7 (Front) (12-1) - He has ability, but has always found the top three picks a bit beyond his talent level. 5yo by 'War Front' gives away a recency to all of them and a small slice at a big price would appear to be his ceiling.