Top pick: #1 (TRANSPARENT) (5-2) - Beautifully-bred colt is part of a Darley Stable entry and separate riders are listed on both halves. Promising son of "Bernardini" cost $725K and has been freshened up since winning two of three this past winter/spring at Aqu. The addition of blinkers, to go along with added distance have turned this runner around, and he's working fast for this.
2nd pick: #5 (Proud Strike) (3-1) - Colt has always been highly thought of by trainer Steve Asmussen and is the type that can "run all day." He enters off a smart come-from-behind win at Churchill four weeks ago and would benefit the most if the pace was fast/and or contested.
3rd pick: #3 (Bad Hombre) (5-1) - Since coming back from an eight week freshening in mid-April this colt by "Sky Mesa" has gone 4-2-2-0 since then. I thought his win last out over weaker was impressive, and it looks like he has a big future.
4th pick: #6 (Cerro) (6-1) - Colt is 2-for-2 at this 9-furlong trip and is the only runner who has won at this demanding distance before. That shouldn't be taken too lightly and this Team Valor Irish-bred must be left in the mix.