Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #6 (MOHAYMEN) (7-5) - At this time he's the advance betting favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby. Grey son of 'Tapit' cost $2,200,000 as a Keeneland sales yearling back in Sept. of 2014. At this point that looks like a bargain. Undefeated colt is a perfect 5-for-5 and has done something the other contenders haven't yet accomplished. He's won around two-turns twice, including a sharp win here at this distance in the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) Jan. 30th. Working fast since then, including a bullet half-mile breeze at Palm Meadows Feb. 12th.
2nd pick: #5 (Awesome Banner) (7-2) - Home bred has plenty of early speed and has won all three of his starts going shorter. His average margin of victory is 6.5 lengths, and each score has come here at Gulfstream. Florida bred has won both the Hutcheson (G3) and Swale Stakes (G2) at this meet and is racing beyond seven furlongs for the first time.
3rd pick: #2 (Zulu) (3-1) - Colt by 'Bernardini" sold for $900,000 as a 2yo in training last March. He debuted here Dec. 5th and was a wire-to-wire winner going six furlongs. Stretched out an 1/8th of a mile Jan. 15th, he proved he could rate and rally as he coasted to an easy 7.5-length win. Working fast at Palm Beach Downs since then, he has lots of room for up-side, and is in the barn of Todd Pletcher.