Top pick: #7 (MATERIALITY) (7-2) - One of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and the pair race uncoupled. This lightly raced son of 'Afleet Alex' has won both start with ease and each have been here at Gulfstream. He broke his maiden going 6 furlongs in the slop on Jan 11. Given eight weeks of freshening, he looked great when winning a small stakes at this distance on Mach 6th. The final time (1:48.20) was extremely fast for a lightly-raced 3-year-old and he'll put himself into the Kentucky Derby picture if he repeats it today.
2nd pick: #9 (Upstart) (7-5) - The morning line favorite, he's been sharp in every start 6-3-2-1 and was an easy winner here of the Holy Bull stakes (G2) in his 3-year-old debut Jan 24. He won the Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb 21, but was disqualified and placed second. My personal belief is that it was the wrong decision by the stewards. Working fast for this and he's an obvious win candidate.
3rd pick: #4 (Itsaknockout) (5) - Another from the loaded Pletcher barn, He won his first pair here, then was placed first in the Fountain of Youth stakes (G2) when today's rival 'Upstart' was taken down in a bit of a controversial disqualification. Must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #1 (Ami's Flatter) (10-1) - Lightly-raced colt finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) to the very talented 'Carpe Diem' on March 7th. It was his first running with Lasix and one-run type could get another small slice from his ground saving post.