ASHADO
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Has run two big ones this season, winning the Fair Grounds Oaks and almost catching the undefeated Madcap Escapade at Keeneland. She's very classy but I wonder if she can produce a third consecutive impressive effort at a distance that may be slightly beyond her scope. I think she's best at up to a mile and a sixteenth, the length of her last two races. In her only try at 1 1/8 miles, she staggered through a 14 2/5-second final furlong and hung on by a nose. She'll probably be overbet, and I'll try to beat her.

HOLLYWOOD STORY
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Is only 1-for-7 lifetime and seems a cut below the best of her generation. Already has lost to six of the fillies she'll meet again in the Oaks. Might hit the board with a peak effort and perfect trip but won't win. I won't be using her.

ISLAND SAND
Trainer: Larry Jones
Jockey: Terry Thompson
Has solid two-turn form and ran a strong second last time behind the improving and gifted House of Fortune. In a weaker field, maybe I'd throw her into the exotics, but she has too many standouts to beat in here.

HALFBRIDLED
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Jockey: Alex Solis
Like so many outstanding 2-year-olds, she's run into trouble at 3. Two uninspiring seconds have taken the luster off her reputation, and last year she was the best 2-year-old to race on Breeders' Cup day. Mandella said that last year she was like a tough tomboy and nothing bothered her, but that this season she's more temperamental. Maybe she hated Keeneland last time, when she fell hopelessly behind early and got second on class alone. At 4-1 or so, she'll either be the value bet of the month or dead on the board. I won't be playing her to win after what I saw in her last race.

HOUSE OF FORTUNE
Trainer: Ron McAnally
Jockey: Shane Sellers
Takes on the big girls after dominating in lesser stakes at Golden Gate and Oaklawn. Has the best finishing figures in the race and enough tactical speed to stay within striking distance of the leaders. Improving California-bred will be an overlay and has a decent chance to win. She'll be on my Pick 4 ticket and in my exactas, and I might play her to win, too.

MADCAP ESCAPADE
Trainer: Frank Brothers
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Very quick filly is unbeaten and possibly unsuited for 1 1/8 miles, especially if Silent Sighs and Victory U.S.A. press her early, which seems likely. Made an easy lead and set reasonable fractions last time in her two-turn debut and still almost was caught by Ashado at 1 1/16 miles. Will be bet heavily and looks like a vulnerable underlay at the distance. She's the one to beat, and I'll try to do that.

SILENT SIGHS
Trainer: Julio Canani
Jockey: David Flores
Not as fast as Madcap Escapade, but quick enough to make the favorite hustle early. Pulled a mild upset in the Santa Anita Oaks and must be respected. If Madcap Escapade weakens late, Silent Sighs may be there to inherit the lead and hold off the closers. Working well and must be respected.

VICTORY U.S.A.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Pat Day
Routed Halfbridled in the 7-furlong Beaumont at Keeneland, and that may be her best distance. She's 0-for-4 around two turns, all at 1 1/16 miles, and it seems improbable that she'll reverse her form going farther than she's ever been. A likely pace casualty, especially if she pressures Madcap Escapade early.

A.P. ADVENTURE
Trainer: Wally Dollase
Jockey: Mike Smith
Had some trouble in the Santa Anita Oaks, where she ran an even third after entering the race with a brilliant string of workouts. She's 2-for-2 when fresh, and being by A.P. Indy she should like 9 furlongs a lot more than most of her rivals. Should be within a few lengths of the leaders turning for home, and I'll be betting that the very gifted Dollase will have her ready to put in a strong stretch kick. Major threat.

LAST SONG
Trainer: Carl Nafzger
Jockey: Edgar Prado
She's 20-1 in the morning line and she'll be overlooked by most of the bettors. I'm very interested in her, because she's already won at the distance at Gulfstream and is 1-for-1 at Churchill over a good track, and some rain is forecast for Friday. Has improved her pace figures in her last two starts and has already shown a strong closing punch. A bit of a grinder, which is a concern, but I'll be surprised if she doesn't finish in the first three. A very live overlay.

CLASS ABOVE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
She's 3-for-3 outside Santa Anita and either wins by daylight or is up the track. Seems to be coming into her own and might be ready to run a career top. Hasn't won beyond a mile, but pedigree says 9 furlongs should be within her reach. I'm not crazy about her, but I'm wary, and she'll be a huge price. Post 11 may be a problem, so that's another negative, but don't assume she's in over her head.

STELLAR JAYNE
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Looks like a vanity entry for Lukas, who won't have a Derby runner for only the second time since 1981. This filly has lost six straight and her numbers say she's in far too deep. No chance.