Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 6:3

"Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." — Daniel 6:3 (ASV)

Was preferred.— Literally, he outshone the others. The pronoun “this” is prefixed to Daniel's name to point him out as the favored one already mentioned (Daniel 6:28).