This has always been a top race for the Americans with the Grade 3 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita proving a superb trial. This year's winner, Wildman Jack, has the added bonus of having won a Group 3 sprint on Super Saturday last year though that was on the Turf track. Steve Asmussen's Yaupon completed a hat-trick in a Pimlico Grade 3 and didn't get the run of the race when strongly fancied for the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland. He's been prepared for this as has stable companion Jalen Journey, who has been placed at Grade 1 level and has won two recent claimers. Japan has a very strong hand this year with four entries headed by Copano Kicking, who landed the lucrative Riyadh Dirt Sprint under William Buick last month where he caught MATERA SKY in the dying strides. The latter finished runner-up to X Y Jet in this two years ago and can go one better.
Al Tariq (FR) (9-0) won at Meydan 6f Grp 3 fst in Feb beating Important Mission (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Canvassed (IRE) (9-0) won at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks fst in Mar beating Good Effort (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Copano Kicking (USA) 14-1 (9-0) won at Riyadh 6f gd in Feb beating Matera Sky (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Good Effort (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 13, nk behind Canvassed (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks fst in Mar.
Jalen Journey (USA) 6-5fav (8-8) Collared leader, clear, won at Oaklawn Park 6f fst in Jan beating Town Champ (8-10) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Justin (JPN) 3-1jfav (9-0) 6th of 13, 6l behind Copano Kicking (9-0) at Riyadh 6f gd in Feb.
Matera Sky (USA) 3-1jfav (9-0) 2nd of 13, nk behind Copano Kicking (9-0) at Riyadh 6f gd in Feb.
Premier Star (USA) (9-0) 4th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Canvassed (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks fst in Mar.
Red Le Zele (JPN) 9-2 (9-0) 4th of 16, 3l behind Cafe Pharoah (9-0) at Tokyo 1m stks pol in Feb.
Switzerland (USA) 8-1 (9-0) 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Copano Kicking (9-0) at Riyadh 6f gd in Feb.
Wildman Jack (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Bid outside,clear 3/16, won at Santa Anita 6f stks fst in Jan beating Shashashakemeup (8-8) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
Yaupon (USA) 13-10fav (8-12) Chase 3w,bmp/pinch upr, 8th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Whitmore (9-0) at Keeneland 6f fst in Nov.
Zenden (USA) 7-1 (8-6) Pace,shifted 3p,gamely, won at Tampa Bay Downs 6f stks fst in Feb beating Souper Stonehenge (8-6) by hd, 7 ran.
Important Mission (USA) (9-0) 6th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Canvassed (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks fst in Mar.