Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne looks wide open, but we're going to go with the undefeated SONG OF THE SWORD (Unbridled's Song) as our top choice.

In his most recent start, Song of the Sword engaged in a long duel under the cover of fog with Sinister G (Matty G), who went on the capture the Lane's End S. (G2) in his next start. The Jennifer Pedersen trainee raced next to his rival around the far turn and through the stretch before getting the nose decision under a vigorous hand ride by Richard Migliore. In his previous outing, he rated off the pace on the outside, quickly advanced turning for home, then drew off through the stretch in his first start around two turns. Song of the Sword drilled four furlongs in a bullet :46 2/5 on Tuesday and drops eight pounds off his last start. Further improvement is expected.

POLLARD'S VISION (Carson City) rolled to a 5 3/4-length allowance score at Gulfstream Park in early February, earning a BRIS Speed rating of 107. That effort was good enough to send him to Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby (G2), in which he stalked the early pace, took the lead in midstretch, and then held on well for third, beaten just 2 1/2 lengths. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt is extremely dangerous with a similar effort.

Northern California-based O. K. MIKIE (Michael's Flyer) is a deep closer who rallied determinedly for fourth, beaten a mere half-length, in the roughly run, 1 1/16-mile El Camino Real Derby (G3). He could come running late at large odds and rates our longshot special for the exotics.

The well-bred SUAVE (A.P. Indy) exits an impressive 1 1/8-mile allowance victory at Gulfstream Park that was run in a faster time than the Florida Derby (G1) two races later. The Paul McGee-trained colt gets the hot-riding Rafael Bejarano in the saddle and must be respected.

KILGOWAN (Smoke Glacken) was bumped off stride near the furlong marker and then recovered to gamely prevail in the El Camino Real Derby. The gray closer is nicely drawn on the rail for a ground-saving trip, but must lug top weight of 124 pounds. SKIPASLEW (Skip Away) won the Golden Gate Derby (G3) two back and could factor with an inside stalking trip.

FARNUM ALLEY (Distorted Humor) won a two-turn allowance at Gulfstream in late January, earning a BRIS Late Pace rating 114. He exits a non-threatening fifth-place finish in the Florida Derby and could improve. Two-time stakes winner WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY (Meadowlake) comes off an even third-place effort in a two-turn stakes race at Turfway Park but will have to overcome the outside post. PURE AMERICAN (Quiet American) was an impressive 1 1/16-mile allowance winner at Oaklawn Park in his last start. The gray has been working up a storm over this surface and has some upset potential.

CHROME SOLDIER (Demidoff) won for the second time going long over this surface in his last start but looks up against it here. DANCEFORTYNINER (Roar) appears overmatched.

1st-SONG OF THE SWORD
2nd-POLLARD'S VISION
3rd-O. K. MIKIE