Top pick: #2 (TO HONOR AND SERVE) - He showed plent of talent and potential late last season when he won both the Nashua (G2) & the Remsen(G2) at Aqueduct and was visually impressive in each. $575,000 son of "Bernardini" is in the patient barn of Bill Mott and he certainly did not have him "fully cranked" when he finished third to "Soldat" in the G2 Fountain of Youth here Feb. 26. Working fast at Payson Park for this and he looks set for a return to his winning ways.
2nd pick: #1 (Soldat) - Hard-hitter is a perfect two for two this meet and they've both come at this demanding 1 1/8th mile trip. He has plenty of speed, the inside post, and is training sharply for this. Son of "War Front" doesn't necessarily need the lead to win, and with Flashpoint signed-on he may need to stalk. A major player with either style.
3rd pick: #8 (Flashpoint) - Undefeated (2 for 2) stretch-out sprinter couldn't have been more impressive when he destroyed a field in the G2 Hutchinson earlier in the meet on this surface. race was only his second and his first facing winners. Working fast since and he's in the barn of one of the best big race trainers (Rick Dutrow). Must be left in the mix.