1.   Despite slow early fractions that worked against them, Day weaved the Blue Grass Stakes winner through heavy traffic around the second turn and through the stretch.

2.   Northern Ensign, another early-speed Aqueduct winter horse, does not have a closing kick and should wilt in the early fractions.

3.   Stubbs said he was surprised Cheruiyot handled the field as easily as he did, especially after the slow early fractions.

4.   Baffert said his horses may have been too close to the leaders during record-setting early fractions.

5.   Expect Balto Star, with Chris McCarron aboard, to set the early fractions, most likely a bit slower than the blazing Derby pace set by Songandaprayer.