Top pick: #1 (PROUD STRIKE) (8-1) - Longshot is from the barn of Steve Asmussen and this son of "Smart Strike" has always been highly thought of by the trainer. Colt was a very impressive maiden winner here on Jan. 12 at this distance and has worked five times since. "Triple Crown" nominee moves way up in class, but draws the rail, has Gary Stevens in to ride, and the distant second and third place finishers in his maiden score both won next out.
2nd pick: #10 (Oxbow) (5-1) - He won the first of the "Louisiana Derby"(G1) preps here Jan. 19 when he went wire-to-wire to win the "Le Compte"(G3) by 11 1/2 lengths. Working fast since and his trainer (D. Wayne Lukas) knows a little something about winning big races.
3rd pick: #9 (Normandy Invasion) (5-2) - He looks like Chad Brown's first "Derby" horse and is training very fast at Palm Meadows for his first start since missing by a nose in late Oct. at Aqueduct in the (G2) "Remsen" stakes.
4th pick: #2 (Code West) (6-1) - Santa Anita invader represents the Baffert barn and has gone (3-1-2-0) racing on real dirt. Lightly raced, well-bred, and he draws a nice post for his stalking style.
5th pick: #6 (Palace Malice) (8-1) - He's in from Gulfstream for the Pletcher barn and he's (3-1-2-0) so far. Working fast at Palm Meadows, he'll be attempting a two-turn distance for the first time.