Top pick: #2 (WAR ACADEMY) (5-2) - One of two entered by the Baffert barn and the pair race uncoupled. Speed/stalker is well-bred, lightly raced, and comes off a career best on March 15th. Working fast since, he breaks just off the rail, and Mike Smith (who teamed up with Baffert to win this race last year) is aboard.
2nd pick: #10 (Oxbow) (2-1) - He has a distinct "home field" advantage on "Academy." He has a strong race on this surface when he came up a head short to barn-mate "Will Take Charge" in the March 16th "Rebel" stakes (G2). Improving and the 9-furlong trip won't be any problem for this colt.
3rd pick: #5 (Den's Legacy) (6-1) - The second of the Baffert runners is a seasoned stakes performer (11-2-5-2) and last out he rallied to finish third in the "Rebel" while having some traffic issues. Consistent and must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #9 (Overanalyze) (4-1) - He raced evenly from a tough outside post when making his seasonal debut at Aqueduct on March 2nd in the (G3) "Gotham" stakes. In the Pletcher barn and he has Bejarano fly in from Santa Anita for the ride. Dangerous.