Top pick: #3 (Arabian Lion) (4-1) - Bob Baffert's Arabian Lion has shown a nice balance of stamina and speed. It's been an impressive two months, finishing second in the Lexington Stakes while winning the Sir Barton Stakes with a Beyer Speed Figure of 103. Both of those were at 1 1/6-miles. The horse had a pair of 6 and 7 furlongs races late last year, finishing first and second.
2nd pick: #7 (Federal Judge) (8-1) - A 3-year-old Colt with little experience, Federal Judge is a bit of a wild card here. The horse has impressive speed figures in going two-for-two this year at 6 and 6 1/2 furlongs. Federal Judge was an 8-to-5 favorite at six furlongs at Oaklawn in April and impressed, going gate-to-wire to win by 4 1/2-lengths with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
3rd pick: #4 (General Jim ) (7-2) - This 3-year-old colt has won four of six races at distances between 7 furlongs and 1 1/16-miles. This is a step up, its first Grade 1 race. General Jim inched out Fort Bragg in the Pat Day Mile four weeks ago with a thrilling stretch duel. General Jim also won its last race at this distance, the Swale Stakes in February. Not the kind of speed figures to best Arabian Lion, but General Jim will be in this one all the way.