Veterans Clash in Contentious Alysheba

Eagle is the lukewarm 7/2 favorite following his win in the Grade 3 Ben Ali April 16 at Keeneland. The Neil Howard trainee broke through after running well, but settling for minor awards in three successive stakes races earlier in the year at Fair Grounds. Eagle has won 6 of 13 career starts and looks to be in the best form of his life. Regular rider Brian Hernandez retains the mount while breaking from post 4.

Birds of a different feather

Noble Bird (4/1) was second best to Eagle in the Ben Ali, but was making his first start since February. The Mark Casse trainee showed early speed in that race before getting mowed down in the stretch. The four year-old son of Candy Ride is won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs last summer and should be more fit with the previous race under his belt. Noble Bird finished second by a head in last year’s Alysheba.

Baffert shipper has plenty of zip 

The Bob Baffert-trained Cat Burglar will use his early speed while breaking from the rail under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. Cat Burglar won the Santana Mile last out and has been sharp in each of his three starts this year. The six year-old son of Unbridled’s Song has yet to win a graded stakes race and must prove he can find the winner’s circle against top company.