Bob Baffert has won this four times in seven years and Medina Spirit easily beat Stilleto Boy, Tripoli and Express Train at Santa Anita last month. He has every chance having also beaten subsequent Grade 1 winners Hot Rod Charlie and ESSENTIAL QUALITY when landing the Kentucky Derby back in May. But the latter had no luck in-running at Churchill Downs and having won all three subsequent outings, the Godolphin grey is fancied to take revenge. Brad Cox also runs the front-running Grade 1 winner Knicks Go, who has the beating of Art Collector on collateral form but may well be taken on for the lead by the rapidly improving Max Player.
Tripoli (USA) 14-5 (9-0) 4w,3w into str,faltrd, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Medina Spirit (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Oct.
Hot Rod Charlie (USA) 9-10fav (8-12) Drifted out,edged away, won at Philadelphia Park 1m 1f stks fst in Sep beating Midnight Bourbon (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Essential Quality (USA) 9-20fav (9-0) Bobld bit st,2-3p,duel, won at Saratoga 1m 2f stks (1) fst in Aug beating Midnight Bourbon (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Knicks Go (USA) 1-10fav (8-13) In hand 2p,glided away, won at Churchill Downs 1m 1f stks fst in Oct beating Independence Hall (8-9) by 4l, 6 ran.
Art Collector (USA) 11-4 (8-12) Well rated,ins,2p1/4, won at Belmont Park 1m 1f stks fst in Oct beating Maxfield (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Stilleto Boy (USA) 50-1 (8-6) Stalked ins, best rest, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Medina Spirit (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Oct.
Medina Spirit (USA) 13-10fav (8-10) Cleared, drew off, won at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Oct beating Stilleto Boy (8-6) by 5l, 8 ran.
Max Player (USA) 19-5 (9-0) 2-3p,ask1/4,drew away, won at Saratoga 1m 2f stks fst in Sep beating Happy Saver (9-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Express Train (USA) 13-2 (8-12) Lackd rm 2nd,angld out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Medina Spirit (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m 1f stks fst in Oct.
