This analysis of the Santa Anita Derby is important, as it affects two of the serious contenders on this field, TAIBA and MESSIER:
Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby: Santa Anita Derby analysis
If you think MESSIER just got winded doing the work needed to run down a quality sprinter in Forbidden Kingdom, then maybe he won't be similarly shot next time out, and might be a forward factor. I don't rule it out.
If you credit TAIBA with everything he showed in this race, then he's a major talent and serious threat, despite being so lightly raced. 15 years ago I would have confidently tossed a horse so lightly seasoned, but these days I don't do so as easily. He might just be the premier talent in this field, only now revealing what seemed was coming all along.
It was a very good looking run from TAIBA, watched live and re-watched after the fact.