Top pick: #8 (BODEMEISTER) - One of several promising 3-year-olds entered in this mile maiden contest and this $260K son of "Empire Maker" is one of two here from the stable of Bob Baffert. Colt finished second when debuting at this level going 5.5 furlongs Jan. 16 and he'll stretch him out in distance this afternoon. Working fast for this and is the horse to beat.
2nd pick: #3 (Welter Weight) - He also finished second in his debut, which came here on Jan. 7 going 6.5 furlongs. Unlike Baffert, trainer Steve Asmussen always points to his maiden's second starts and this $1,000,000 ridgling by "Smart Strike" was bet heavily in his first start. Stretches-out to a mile and is a win candidate.
3rd pick: #7 (Stirred Up) - The second of the Baffert Pair, he rallied to finish second going 7 furlongs just two weeks ago and this $420K son of "Lemon Drop Kid" is brought back on short notice and must be left in the mix.