M/L Crown Pride(10) @ 10/1 Taiba(3) @ 5/2

Taiba sticks with Rider M. Smith. Crown Pride switches to local rider D. Lane who was up when winning last year's UAE Derby.

Apparently, they start from adjoining gates (#'s 2&3 I believe) even though their saddle-clothe numbers indicate otherwise i.e. 3 & 10.

Meanwhile, Kamikaze Lemaire switches to Geoglyph another winner of more than $1M in 2022. This one c/b is worth a stab @20/1 and probably more considering he's never raced on dirt in this lifetime. Note - his last was a 6th in the Hong Kong cup so his connections have plenty of confidence. I like his breeding.

Crown Pride is a sentimental choice for me but evidently, the NOW horses are Cafe Pharoah, who attracted Joao Moreira, and Jun Light Bolt ridden by Ryan Moore. I never feel comfortable betting against him.

Last year's impressive winner (Emblem Road), as good as he is, IMHO - just won't get the respect at the windows he's due. Add in some locals that just string wins and I really don't know what to think except don't bet against Ryan Moore.