Top pick: #2 (TOO FAST TO PASS) (5-1) - He has a fine recor on real dirt, enters in shape, and speed/stalker breaks just off the rail. Gelding gets the call at a square price in a "wide open" Pomona Derby.
2nd pick: #8 (Syndicated) (8-1) - He runs second back off a pair of layoffs and finished second here in his return, going 6 furlongs facing weaker on Sept. 7. Trainer Mike Pender stretches him out and colt can impact at long odds.
3rd pick: #9 (Curly Top) (3-1) - Pletcher trainee whistled at Santa Anita to break his maiden at Santa Anita in late January in his only previous race on real dirt. Stalker is working fast and is a win candidate.
4th pick: #3 (Tree of Life) (5-1) - He runs third off a seven month vacation and this strong finisher won the "Barrett's Juvenile" on this surface last fall. Rounding into his best form and a stretch threat.
5th pick: #5 (Avare) (9-2) - Speedy sort ships from Golden Gate where he was a gate-to-wire on the grass facing weaker on Aug. 31. Working fast, he's won on the dirt before, and will take them as far as he can.