Top pick: #4 (DARING DANCER) (2-1) - Undefeated (three for three) home-bred by "Empire Maker" was impressive when taking the "Appalachian" stakes (G3) at Keeneland on April 17. It came off almost a six-month layoff and earned her the highest "figure" any of these has attained. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #1 (Recepta) (7-2) - Strong finisher made a wide bid and leveled off a bit to finish third, just over four lengths back of "Daring Dancer" last out at Keeneland. It was her first since late October, a positive effort, and trainer Jimmy Toner adds Lasix to this very promising filly by "Speightstown."
3rd pick: #7 (Party Now) (4-1) - Phipps runner has improved noticeably since being switched to the turf and has gone 3-2-1-0 since that time. Speed/stalker has been freshened up since an allowance win at Keeneland on April 6, and speed has done well here on the grass the last few days.
4th pick: #2 (Minorette) (8-1) - Nicely bred filly went 4-1-0-1 racing in Ireland last year, and rallied to finish third, three lengths back of "Party Now" at Keeneland on April 6. Nice effort was her first since late Sept. and first in North America. Trainer Chad Brown has worked her five times since, and this daughter of "Smart Strike" has room for upside.