Top pick: #6 (I'm Very Busy) (7-2) - It took two years, but this Chad Brown colt has turned a corner. Since October, I'm Very Busy has been in four races winning twice and finishing second twice. I'm Very Busy finished second at the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, then won the Muniz Memorial Classic the last time out. The Muniz Memorial Classic looked like a coming out party, winning by 3 3/4-lengths in a congested field of 13.
2nd pick: #4 (Far Bridge) (9-1) - Jockey Jose Ortiz is atop. Far Bridge has been in two Grade 1 races, wining the Belmont Derby and finishing third at the Saratoga Derby. Far Bridge has excellent speed and ran second in the only other race at this distance, the Pennine Ridge.
3rd pick: #11 (Naval Power) (9-4) - An Irish wild card here with the outside post. After a 13-month absence, Naval Power won the Grade 2 Singspiel Stakes two races ago. Bumped up to Grade 1 the last time out, Naval Power finished second in the 2024 Maker's Mark Mile. It was Naval Power's first trip to the U.S. and still finished ahead of Integration, a horse that is 5-to-1 in this race.