The more I think about and try to analyze the pace Scenario and looking at the numbers, I come to what seem to be a logical outcome. And thats kinda scary. See if you can follow me if you will.
If Lion runs his race, someone will have to come and pick him up. I don't think he's spitting out the bit by any means. The question then comes, who is fast enough to go get him. Taking into consideration what TGJB said concerning trips in the derby. A great deal of horses will lose a lot of ground. With that in mind, consider that the fastest horses will be on the pace or rating just of it with the exception of one. That should mean, pretty decent trips
for Lion Heart, Smarty Jones, Read The Footnotes. In a year such as this, I just can't see any of the others, save The Cliff's Edge and his fondness Churchill, working through a trip, getting up and winning the Roses while passing the fastest 3 yr olds of this crop.

Smarty figures right there, with what figures as a perfect trip, distance limitations and all
Footnotes figures for a similar trip off the bench. Can he get it done? Sure. Will he? we'll see.
Cliff's Edge will have what may be a more difficult trip, but off that last, maybe he's turned the corner.
These are indeed the fastest and considering they may get the best trips, does that mean a merry-go-round of sorts on Derby Day?