Top pick: #6 (AMERICAN PHAROAH) (6-5) - Speedy colt looked great when winning the G2 Rebel Stakes here in the slop March 14th. It was his first start since late Sept. and he's now won three in a row in front running style. Zayat home bred has earned triple digit figures in each and was working very fast at Santa Anita before heading back to Oaklawn. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #4 (Madefromlucky) (6-1) - Since coming off a 4 1/2 month layoff in late Dec., this colt has gone 3-2-1-0. He finished second here last out after giving futile chase to "Pharaoh.' Working well, he may be forced to play catch up again in this spot.
3rd pick: #2 (Mr Z) (12-1) - He raced very poorly in the Louisiana Derby (G2) March 28th when trainer Wayne Lukas ran him without blinkers. Competitive in almost every start prior to that, the 'hood' goes back on today. Price play.
4th pick: #7 (Far Right) (9-2) - Strong finisher won a pair of stakes here early in the meet. Working fast for his first since Feb 22, he may need someone to try and run with 'Pharaoh" early on to set up his late charge.