Top pick: #3 (ALBANO) (6-1) - Price play has been sharp in six of his seven starts and had a terrible trip in the G2 Louisiana Derby in his only non-competitive appearance. He was an easy winner here in the G3 Pegasus Stakes on June 15 in what was his first race since late March. That 6 1/2 length victory earned him a career best "figure," and trainer Larry Jones has him working fast at his home base of Delaware Park. Has a big shot at a square price.
2nd pick: #2 (Bayern) (5-2) - Very fast from the gate, speedy colt's only poor showing came when he had a ton of early traffic issues in this year's "Preakness Stakes" (G1). He's gone 5-3-1-1 in his other starts and was working very fast at Del Mar before shipping east. Trainer Bob Baffert has a fine record in this rich event, and this son of "Offlee Wild" is a strong win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Untapable) (8-5) - The probable favorite, filly will be taking on male rivals for the first time. She's won six of seven on real dirt and is undefeated (four for 40 this year against her own age group & sex). Stalker is meeting the toughest field she's faced so far and will need a traffic free trip to extend her winning streak. Contender, but no "lock" at a short price.
4th pick: #8 (Wildcat Red) (12-1) - Other than a very troubled trip when soundly beaten in the Kentucky Derby (G1), this hard hitter has gone 8-5-3-0, and four of those wins have come in stakes. Working fast before shipping from Gulfstream, he was a 10 1/2 length winner there in a $90K stakes on June 28 in his first race since the "Derby." Can factor today, and at a nice price.