True to form Madaket the West Coast visitor trained by Bob Baffert took off like a sprinter running about a second faster the Magnitude in his surprise Riesen Star race last weekend. As Madaket and Magnitude hit the mile marker in about the same time 1:36+.

In today's race Baffert's trainee ran the other pace horses (Smoken Wicked, Innovator and Speed King off their feet and they finished three of the last four along with a Tomato Can.

Before mentioning the winner I think its fair to say with the strung out field and the early fractions Madaket probably ran a new top since he wasn't that fast going into the race. TGJB to publish in due time.

So I'll assume the Baffert improved at least a couple of points and maybe several then Geeze we have another jump up performance from the winner Coal Battle who was 4-5 wide on the second turn according to the chart I looked at.

One big difference Coal Battle was one of the faster horses in today's race. In retrospect he is loving the added distance and one I'll watch heading for the Derby.

My choice (Hypnus) needs some more experience he had traffic issues today yet finished with interest in my opinion.

As for Madaket well only one beat him but hard to be optimistic at longer distances. Tiztastic ran creditably so if he comes back in the Arkansas Derby I'll likely use him underneath.

I looked up the second place horse in yesterday's Saudi Derby he has to be the most accomplished horse I don't remember hearing about. Probably because most of his achievements were in Hong Kong.