Top pick: #6 (JOSHUA'S JOURNEY) - Colt races for the first time on the turf and does so off a bit more than a four month layoff. He was improving last fall and ran second on the dirt here in a sprint at this level on Nov. 28. Bred to handle the grass, he's working fast for his return and is in a solid barn (Val Lund). The top pick in a contentious race.
2nd pick: #4 (Salado Tribe) - Another who's trying the turf for the first time. Gelding by "Tribal Rule" is in a good barn (Dave Van Winkle) and comes into this off a series of fine efforts on the dirt. Has good positional speed and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Perfect Juan) - Lightly-raced colt by "Perfect Mandate" set the pace last out at this level and distance before tiring to finish off the board. Effort was only his second and he can be in this from start-to-finish with a bit of improvement.
4th pick: #7 (Anakin) - Sunland Park invader raced evenly there in his only start and is sent here by a good barn (Alex Hartman) to race on the grass, a surface he's bred to love. Runs off a trainer switch and does so with blinkers on. All set to make an impact.