A few of the fancied horses coming into the race have drawn high stall numbers and that leaves Bob Baffert's runners holding a strong hand. Tap It Rich made an impressive winning debut over a mile here and a high speed figure suggests he's superior to stablemate NEW YEAR'S DAY. But the latter has the proven form as he beat subsequent Grade 1 winner Bond Holder on a synthetic surface at Del Mar in August and has been working well on dirt. A short distance to the first turn over this trip makes Havana's task that much harder as the ante-post favourite is drawn out wide. The front-runner beat previous Grade 1 winner Strong Mandate, also competing from a high post, in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont last time but will have his work cut out trying to hold a good position. We Miss Artie may not be as inconvenienced by his draw given he was held up when winning the Futurity trial at Keeneland but Mexikoma recorded a much better speed figure when winning his maiden at Delaware and could go well at a price.
Smarty's Echo (USA) 11-1 (8-9) Steadied early, 6 wide, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind We Miss Artie (8-9) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Oct.
Dance With Fate (USA) 9-4fav (8-10) Bid,led,overtaken, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Bond Holder (8-10) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Mexikoma (USA) 10-3 (8-6) Took over, ridden out, won at Delaware Park(USA) 1m 2yo mdn stks in Sep beating Smiling Charlie (8-6) by 15l, 8 ran.
New Year's Day (USA) 9-10fav (8-6) Bid,led,clear,held, won at Del Mar(USA) 1m 2yo mdn stks in Aug beating Bond Holder (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bond Holder (USA) 10-1 (8-10) Rallied,led late,clear, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Dance With Fate (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Tap It Rich (USA) 16-5 (8-10) Hopped,off slow,4w,3w, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo mdn stks in Oct beating Candy Boy (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Conquest Titan (USA) 17-4 (8-9) Bid 4w, in tight 3/16, 5th of 16, 8l behind We Miss Artie (8-9) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Oct.
Rum Point (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Bid between, weakened, 4th of 16, 7l behind We Miss Artie (8-9) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Oct.
We Miss Artie (USA) 19-2 (8-9) Steadied early, 5 wide, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Oct beating Smarty's Echo (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Medal Count (USA) 5-1 (8-6) Middle move in traffic, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Poker Player (8-6) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 3 in Oct.
Diamond Bachelor (USA) 2-5fav (8-10) Re-bid,led,outfinished, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Aotearoa (8-6) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo stk gd in Oct.
Havana (USA) 13-5 (8-10) Tracked ins, held game, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct beating Honor Code (8-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Strong Mandate (USA) 2-1 (8-10) 5w upper, no impact, 7th of 9, 11l behind Havana (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Cleburne (USA) 33-1 (8-6) Inside run 2nd turn, won at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 3 in Sep beating Smart Cover (8-6) by nk, 12 ran.
