Top pick: #7 (HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS) (3-1) - Claimed by Adam Kitchingham on March 21 for $20K, well-bred gelding did not run well on the grass in his first off the claim, but finished second last out going a mile on the Santa Anita dirt. Drops down, goes dirt to "poly", and cuts back a furlong.
2nd pick: #8 (One World) (4-1) - Lightly raced and well-bred, he just missed here at this level on May 5 in his first back from a four month layoff. Obvious win candidate, and I almost made him the top selection.
3rd pick: #5 (Zippingaroundtown) (9-2) - Speedy sort has been freshened up since an easy maiden win at Santa Anita at this seven furlong trip Feb. 28. He's run well on this surface in the past and is working steadily for his first race in almost three months.
4th pick: #3 (Warren's Wesley) (5-1) - Recent maiden winner did so on this surface going 6.5 furlongs April 28, and is clearly an improved runner since coming off a year's layoff in early March. Bejarano stays put and this gelding has room for upside.