Top pick: #2 (SURFING U S A) (7-2) - Lightly-raced colt is one of two entered by trainer Todd Pletcher and the pair race uncoupled. Speedy colt ships in from Gulfstream where he finished a pace-setting second when facing weaker in his seasonal debut on Jan. 25. Working nicely at Palm Meadows for this attempt and he's the speed nearest the rail.
2nd pick: #8 (Cousin Stephen) (9-2) - He set a pressured pace and held gamely to finish third here in a G3 stakes on Feb. 1. Colt has a flexible style, is training well, and trainer Chad Browm reunites this son of "Proud Citizen" with jockey J.J. Castellano.
3rd pick: #6 (Vinceremos) (4-1) - The second of the Pletcher pair, he's won two in a row and last out surprised at 12-1 when he nosed out uncoupled stable-mate "Harpoon" in the local "Sam B. Davis" stakes (G3) at this trip on Feb. 1. Stalker continues to train nicely and is an obvious threat if he holds his form.
4th pick: #1 (Ring Weekend) (15-1) - Longshot moves way up in class after an impressive maiden win at Gulfstream going 8.5-furlongs on Feb. 8. It was his second back from a three month layoff and he had a tough outside post that afternoon. In a good barn (Graham Motion) and this gelding by "Tapit" breaks from a nice ground-saving post.
5th pick: #5 (Conquest Titan) (5-1) - No-speed type rallied from far back to run second at Gulfstream Park to the impressive "Cairo Prince" in the "Holy Bull" stakes (G2) on Jan 25. Strong finisher would love a fast and/or contested pace to develop.