Top pick: #8 (BAYERN) (2-1) - Trainer Bob Baffert has had a lot of success in the past in the "Arkansas Derby" and has done so with horses that like to race on or near the lead. This $320K colt has won his first pair at Santa Anita in easy fashion and did so in both in wire-to-wire fashion. Working fast for this and he's the top selection.
2nd pick: #3 (Tapiture) (9-5) - He's gone 6-2-2-2 to date and was an easy winner here in the "Southwest" stakes (G3) in his 3-year-old debut on Feb. 17. Last out he came up a 1/2 length short in the "Rebel" (G2) on March 15th and is working fast for this, his intended target all winter.
3rd pick: #9 (Strong Mandate) (9-2) - Son of "Tiznow" has ability and has finished withing range of "Tapiture" in both starts at this meet. He was a G1 winner as a 2-year-old, has a flexible style, and should like this 1 1/8th mile distance.
4th pick: #5 (Thundergram) (30-1) - Longshot moves way up in class after a near miss here on March 14th when facing weaker. It was his first since getting his maiden win on this surface Jan. 10 and may grab a share at a big price.