Todd Pletcher has a strong hand with three runners including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and likely favourite Forte, who beat Mage in last month’s Florida Derby. Tapit Trice had the measure of Verifying at Keenland last time while the third Pletcher runner Kingsbarns remains unbeaten though is upped in class. But ANGEL OF EMPIRE beat the subsequent winner Two Phil's before showing further progress to land the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in good style and Brad Cox’ colt looks likely to improve again over this extra distance. Derma Sotogake won the UAE Derby at Meydan in March and bids to win this for Japan.
Hit Show (USA) 17-10fav (8-11) 3-4p,bid ins3/16,jstld, 2nd of 12, shd behind Lord Miles (8-11) at Aqueduct 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Verifying (USA) 9-4 (8-11) 2w,bid,dugin,brsh,bstd, 2nd of 11, nk behind Tapit Trice (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Two Phil's (USA) 14-5 (8-11) Rallied with authority, won at Turfway Park 1m 1f fst in Mar beating Major Dude (8-11) by 5 1/4l, 10 ran.
Confidence Game (USA) 18-1 (8-7) 4w move,kicked clr, won at Oaklawn Park 1m stks fst in Feb beating Red Route One (8-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Tapit Trice (USA) 13-8fav (8-11) Move 5w,3w,bid,brsh,up, won at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr beating Verifying (8-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Kingsbarns (USA) 9-2 (8-10) Set down/drew off 1/4, won at Fair Grounds 1m 1f fst in Mar beating Disarm (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Reincarnate (USA) 33-10 (8-10) Prominent 3w,empty, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Angel Of Empire (8-10) at Oaklawn Park 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Mage (USA) 9-2 (8-10) Off slow, circle 5wd, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Forte (8-10) at Gulfstream 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Disarm (USA) 17-5 (8-6) 3p,up shw btw5/16,held, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind First Mission (8-6) at Keeneland 1m stks fst in Apr.
Jace's Road (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Pop gate,press 2w,fade, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Kingsbarns (8-10) at Fair Grounds 1m 1f fst in Mar.
Sun Thunder (USA) 13-1 (8-11) Ins,shuffld,5p1/4,mild, 4th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Tapit Trice (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Angel Of Empire (USA) 9-2 (8-10) 4w move,quickly clr, won at Oaklawn Park 1m 1f stks fst in Apr beating King Russell (8-7) by 4 1/4l, 10 ran.
Raise Cain (USA) 7-1 (8-11) 2w,5w2nd,7p1/4,movd up, 5th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Tapit Trice (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Derma Sotogake (JPN) 9-2 (8-9) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Mar beating Dura Erede (8-9) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rocket Can (USA) 13-5fav (8-10) 4w,stalled,coming 3rd, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Angel Of Empire (8-10) at Oaklawn Park 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Cyclone Mischief (USA) 13-1 (8-10) 5-4wd,bid 1/4,held 3rd, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Forte (8-10) at Gulfstream 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Mandarin Hero (JPN) 8-1 (8-12) Bmpd st&str,rally btw, 2nd of 8, shd behind Practical Move (8-12) at Santa Anita 1m 1f fst in Apr.
King Russell (USA) 55-1 (8-7) Swung 5w,willing 2nd, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Angel Of Empire (8-10) at Oaklawn Park 1m 1f stks fst in Apr.
Skinner (USA) 18-5 (8-12) Bpd st,bid3-4w,bpd str, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Practical Move (8-12) at Santa Anita 1m 1f fst in Apr.
Practical Move (USA) Evensfav (8-12) Step slw,pull3/4,lastd, won at Santa Anita 1m 1f fst in Apr beating Mandarin Hero (8-12) by shd, 8 ran.
Forte (USA) 3-10fav (8-10) 3wd, 5wd 1/4, surged, won at Gulfstream 1m 1f stks fst in Apr beating Mage (8-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Lord Miles (USA) 55-1 (8-11) Bmp st,3-4p trns,jstld, won at Aqueduct 1m 1f stks fst in Apr beating Hit Show (8-11) by shd, 12 ran.
Continuar (JPN) 25-1 (8-9) 3rd of 13, 10l behind Derma Sotogake (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Mar.
