By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

1^st race – (4) Sturdy took a nice step forward last time and could land in the winner’s circle. (8) Sansone is working sharply after finishing second. (11) Coffee Talk was second but drew a tough post. (12) Chillax is another runner-up with a bad post.

2^nd race – (5) Tapit Quick should relish the added distance. (6) Don’t Bring Crazy could contend on her best try. (7) Normandy Queen seems in top form. (11) Barbratina may wake up here.

3^rd race - (5) Goal Oriented was an impressive debut winner for Baffert and gets the nod here. (11) Sorcerer’s Silver will be tested here after two easy wins. (2) Bracket Buster was a good second in the Lexington and can make his presence felt. (3) Valentinian can improve off a third last time.

4^th race – (13) New King was a solid second in a Laurel stakes and gets the nod here. (6) Kupuna belongs in the exotics here. (3) Accretive is on the upswing at the right time. (4) Castle Chaos may pose some trouble late.

5^th race – The Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) - (6) Sacred Wish has been facing the top turf fillies and has an edge here. (7) Tax Implications was bumped at the break last time and should fare better today. (10) Special Wan has enough speed to work out a good trip from the post. (1) Venencia should benefit from a ground-saving trip.

6th race – The Pat Day Mile (G2) - (1) Madaket Road should be well-suited by the mile distance. (2) Built opted for this over the Kentucky Derby and looms the main rival. (6) Gaming cannot be ignored in this field.  (5) Gate to Wire will welcome a return to a one-turn distance.

7th race –  The Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) - (1) Coppola has keen early speed and could lead throughout from the rail. (7) Think Big comes off an impressive Shakertown win and will be formidable here. (8) Rogue Lightning was a game second in the Shakertown and will be a main factor in this field. (3) Nobals will be dangerous on his best try.

8^th race – The Churchill Downs Stakes (G1)  - (7) Mindframe had a solid comeback race and should handle this field. (10) Nysos will be a force if there’s no rust from the layoff. (11) Mullikin should be in the picture throughout. (3) Book’em Danno can move forward off a useful win last time.

9^th race – The American Turf Stakes (G1) – (7) Zulu Kingdom opened the year with a determined win and looks best in this field. (3) New Century is a talented European who may be a handful to handle. (4) Mi Bago has speed and will be dangerous if the fractions are soft. (10) Iron Man Cal seems poised for a strong 2025 debut.

10^th race – The Derby City Distaff (G1)  - (2) Kopion comes off a huge Santa Anita win. Has enough speed and an inside post to lead throughout. (7) Vahva is 4-for-4 at this track and cannot be ignored. (8) Ways and Means is a proven Grade 1 winner training sharply for her 2025 debut. (1) Scylla is unbeaten here and merits serious consideration.

11^th race – The Turf Classic (G1)  - (1) Integration was second in his last two starts and seems overdue for a win. (7) Running Bee rarely turns in a poor effort and belongs in the exotics. (10) Spirit of St. Louis can bounce back with a good showing here. (4) Redistricting cannot be ignored in this field.

12^th race – The Kentucky Derby (G1) - (8) Journalism is a deserving favorite off four straight wins. Overcame significant trouble to win the Santa Anita Derby, which was a great education for Saturday’s opening leg of the Triple Crown. All signs point in this direction. (18) Sovereignty moves into the second spot after some defections. He’s fast, consistent and should be closing swiftly at the end. There should be a lively stretch duel between these top two picks. (7) Luxor Café is not getting a world of attention, which is odd since Japan’s Forever Young missed by two noses last year. He may not be as good as Forever Young, but he appears capable enough of hitting the board. (21) Baeza draws in off the also-eligible list after finishing second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby. A repeat of that effort should make him a factor in this field.

13^th race – (11) Patch Adams disappointed in the Tampa Bay Derby, but can revert to winning ways here. (9) Romanesque exits stakes company and will be the key rival. (14) Big Truzz looked good in a debut win but could be forced to race wide. (8) Touchy adds blinkers and deserves a look. 14^th race – (12) Pursuitneversleeps was second in a fast race first time out. Gets the win here. (14) Mainstream tired late but may hang on here. (5) Advanced Spirit was second in his dirt debut and should be a threat here. (8) Harbe may bounce back with a better effort here