Affirmed

Only six three-year-olds will go postward in Saturday's $100,000 Affirmed H.

(G3) at Hollywood Park. The 1 1/16-mile affair is the local stepping stone for

the $400,000 Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2) on July 9. BUZZARDS BAY (Marco Bay),

who figures to get pounded at the windows off his victory in the Santa Anita

Derby (G1) and deceptively good fifth-place effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1),

easily rates our top choice.

Trained by the controversial Jeff Mullins, Buzzards Bay dueled through

testing opening fractions from between foes before outgaming Turf Paradise Derby

winner General John B (Sweetsouthernsaint) and last year's Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1) winner Wilko (Awesome Again) in the nine-furlong Santa Anita

Derby, earning a 103 BRIS Speed rating. The flashy chestnut made a bold run to

reach contention on the far turn in the 131st "Run for the Roses" before

finishing a better-than-appears fifth. Buzzards Bay has excellent positional

speed and is tactical drawn on the outside for a clear trip. He should be hard

to deny at short odds.

SURF CAT (Sir Cat), trained by the ever-dangerous Bruce Headley, exits a pair

of impressive victories at 6 1/2 furlongs, the last over this track in 1:14 2/5,

good for a 107 Speed figure. The talented dark bay figures to be a major player

on the stretch out beneath Alex Solis. He could complete the exacta.

INDIAN OCEAN (Stormy Atlantic) finished third to Surf Cat in his debut, then

reeled off two straight, the last around two turns at this distance. The Jay

Robbins-trained colt dueled through fast fractions before holding sway by a

length last out, earning a 96 Speed rating. The bay colt will likely be in the

mix from the inside and rates a threat.

KHYBER PASS (Running Stag) is three lengths shy of being perfect in four

starts. The Vladimir Cerin-trained colt exits a gritty, front-running victory at

this trip. He must be respected and should be included on the bottom of the

exotics.

DOVER DERE (Cherokee Run) is a seasoned stakes performer who likes to get a

check. He gets a rider change to Patrick Valenzuela and is worth a second look

for a share. California-bred SULTRY BARD (Sultry Song) is a maiden after five

starts. He is overmatched.