Brian’s got his hands full this weekend with three major Derby preps. His analysis of the Grade III Withers at Aqueduct and Grade III Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs will be up later today and tomorrow.

For more of Brian’s insights on New York racing, check him out at Horseplayer Now.

Santa Anita: The Grade II, $200,000 Bob Lewis at 1 1/16 miles

#1 Isn’t He Clever: New Mexico invader tries two turns for the first time off a romp in a minor Sunland stakes in very fast time, and somehow he meets a group of Californians without a ton of early speed, so it’s possible he shakes loose and gets brave today. Gets the class test but he’s done everything they’ve asked of him so far and you know he can handle this trip, as a son of Derby winner Smarty Jones, He also benefits from catching a few others who might not be intent on winning this off the layoff, so with that in mind, not to mention his undeniable talent, he just might be able to give them all the slip; dangerous if they forget about him up front.

#2 Liaison: Long-striding son of Indian Charlie looked good winning the GI CashCall at Hollywood Park and makes his 3yo debut as one of the West Coast’s top Derby contenders at this point. Baffert trainee has done little wrong in four career starts and even owns a win, albeit at one-turn, over the SA strip, so you know he likes it here. The likely favorite has a lot going for him, but he’s coming in off a layoff with much, much bigger goals in mind and plenty of graded stakes earnings to fall back on, so doubt he’s fully cranked today; willing to let him beat me in his first start of the year.

#3 Groovin’ Solo: Blinks go on after he broke his maiden over the track last time to help erase the debacle in the CashCall two starts back. Enters a pretty tough spot to tackle winners for the first time and while he appears to have some talent this just looks like too much too soon; not seeing it today.

#4 I’ll Have Another: Returns for the first time since a forgettable run in his first main track run in September’s GI Hopeful at Saratoga, and while he’s been training great, this is a tough spot to make your two-turn debut. Showed his talent with a strong second in the GII Best Pal at Del Mar and he’s got the speed to be involved early, but there are a lot of hurdles to clear and he might need one; tabbing for next time.

#5 Sky Kingdom: Baffert’s second runner owns a track and distance win, but they timed that N1X with a sundial, so he’ll need to improve open lengths to be a factor here. The good news is that he’s bred to be a runner and wasn’t far off his stablemate in the CashCall, so maybe he’s got that forward jump in him. The price will be right and he should sit a dream trip, so if you believe, you’re getting the right risk/reward scenario to use him; possible to spice up the exotics.

#6 Rousing Sermon: Just missed in the CashCall after a wide trip, and his track and distance win last year says he’s got no problems running over conventional dirt. Another who starts his 3yo campaign today, so it’s likely this is a simply a jumping off point to what Hollendorfer hopes is a campaign that lands him in the starting gate at Churchill Downs, so with the expected soft pace, it’s tough to see this closer getting the right setup to get his picture taken; keying underneath.

#7 Empire Way: Blueblood completes the Baffert trio and while he’s not yet made a dent in a pair of graded stakes, including the CashCall, you have the feeling that there’s a lot more than meets the eye. Moderate works for his 3yo bow but that’s not too much of a concern for this stretch-running son of Empire Maker, and it’s nice to see Rosario take the call again. With graded stakes earnings at a premium, you have to believe that this colt is cranked for a biggie, and that might be the deciding factor that gets him to the wire first; announces his presence on the Derby Trail with a win today.

#8 Chips All In: Mullins runner has won on all three surfaces and enters off a game win in the Eddie Logan over the local sod. Tries graded stakes foes today for the first time and got no favors from the draw, so a wide trip seems like a forgone conclusion and that’s not going to help a horse who probably isn’t good enough to beat this kind in the first place; playing against.

Selections:

#7 Empire Way

#2 Liaison

#1 Isn’t He Clever