Top pick: #4 (Flightline) (3-5) - With only eight horses in the race, speed has an edge over positioning. And what dazzling numbers Flightline has shown - a 126 speed figure while winning the Pacific Classic Stakes in September, the second-highest in 31 years. This 4-year-old Colt topped Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer by an astonishing 19 lengths. And you can add another seven lengths ahead of third-place Royal Ship. Flightline is the powerful son of Tapit and has won all five starts (three Grade 1) by a total of 62 lengths. If you missed seeing Secretariat in 1973, take a look at Flightline. This is shaping up to be a special horse that crops up every few generations.
2nd pick: #6 (Epicenter) (5-1) - Nobody wants to be second banana, but 2022 has unfairly placed that crown on this talented horse. Epicenter was a 3-1 favorite at the Preakness but came in second down the stretch to 5-1 Early Voting. At the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter was 7-2 but finished second in a thriller to 80-1 long shot Rich Strike. In its last race, Epicenter won the Travers Stakes at this 1 1/4-mile distance pulling away from the pack easily. In the last calendar last year, Epicenter has five first-place finishes and three second-place.
3rd pick: #5 (Hot Rod Charlie) (15-1) - This 4-year old colt is always at the top or close by. In 13 races over the last two years, Hot Rod Charlie has 11 first, second, or third-place finishes. He was second at the 2021 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. The last time out, Hot Rod Charlie won the Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes and prior to that was third at the Grade 1 Whitney, both at 1 1/8-miles. In two races at this 1 1/4-miles, Hot Rod Charlie finished third and fourth. With a Beyer Speed figure of 104 this year, this competitive horse will be in it.