Top pick: #4 (STOPCHARGINGMARIA) (7-2) - One of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and the pair race uncoupled. Daughter of "Tale of the Cat" went 5-3-1-1 as a 2-year-old, but has not yet reproduced that fine form in her two races this year. Speed/stalker is working fast on the Saratoga training track and may be headed back in the right direction.
2nd pick: #5 (Euphrosyne) (5-1) - Consistent sort has gone 5-1-3-1 since she began racing around two-turns. Speed/stalker ships from Oaklawn where she went 3-1-1-1 in a series of stakes and is a win threat in this wide open contest.
3rd pick: #8 (Sloane Square) (5-1) - The second of the Pletcher pair, grey filly by "Giant's Causeway" has been sharp in all three starts. After winning her first pair with ease, last out she held to finish second in a G3 two-turn stakes on the Turfway "poly" March 22nd. Freshened up since and a threat on the front end.
4th pick: #1 (Joint Return) (15-1) - No-speed type has won 4-of-6 overall, with her lone sub-par effort coming in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 29th. She draws a ground-saving post and would benefit the most if the pace is fast and/or contested.
5th pick: #2 (America) (8-1) - Lightly-raced daughter of "A.P. Indy" was bred and is owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. She has some talent and has been working fast at Saratoga for her first since March 29th. Fits with her best.