Less than a month away is the first Saturday in May and with the results of last Sunday's Florida Derby , the Nick Zito trained; Dialed In has stamped his ticket to Churchill Downs with his nose on the wire victory in that race. He caught 69-1 longshot Shackleford who nearly stole the race on the front end. Now, Nick Zito who has won back-to-back Florida Derbies will most likely have the 2nd choice in the Kentucky Derby wagering in a few weeks. Today we have three more prep races today and two others next week. This week is the coast to coast battle with Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial and what was to be Premier Pegasus in the Santa Anita Derby . But on Thursday afternoon, it was announced that Premier Pegasus suffered a hairline fracture of his cannon bone and will miss today's race. That leaves an wide open field and with the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park added in for good measure, we will sending a few more runners along with Dialed In to the "big" race.
The leading contender for favoritism the first Saturday in May is racing at Aqueduct in the Wood Memorial and his name is Uncle Mo. We all know his story; undefeated, the media darling of NYRA and the best three year old to come along since Eskendereya. Today he faces nine foes with the morning line odds of 1-5. I was really surprised that NYRA stakes coordinator got that many runners to face him, so what was thought to be a unbetable race has now worth another look. It's looks like there are only three runners to use with Uncle Mo (#5) in the wagering; Arthur's Tale (#4) , Duca (#7) and Toby's Corner (#2). For Uncle Mo , this may be just another "public workout" and SHOULD handle this group. But to be on the safe side, I'd mix the three runners I stated with Uncle Mo and not just "single" him.
There are ten runners also in the Santa Anita Derby after the withdrawal of the morning line favorite; Premier Pegasus. This field though is a little more evenly matched. It comes down to three contenders which all should be around the same odds. Silver Medallion (#4) , Anthony's Cross (#9) and Jaycito (#11) are the ones who will battle for favoritism in my opinion. My main interest is in Silver Medallion who has won at the mile and an eighth distance, but on a synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields last time out. The "wildcard" here is Midnight Interlude (#6) who broke his maiden for Bob Baffert last time out. Like in the Wood Memorial, mix it up and I'll be playing a 4-6-9-11 superfecta box.
A even dozen will be racing at Hawthorne Park in the grade III - Illinois Derby . This group looks like the 2nd stringers for the Derby , but a good betting race which includes four maiden runners! The most notable runner is the 43-1 longshot winner of the Tampa Bay Derby ; Watch Me Go (#4). I'll try to beat him with Al Stall trainee; Sour (#6) who looks like he has the best up side. Along with these two runners, I'll include; the speedy The Fed Eased (#7) shipping in from New York and another Todd Plecther runner; Joe Vann (#3). Not a lot of pricy horse here, but the field as a whole lacks graded stakes quality. It's my opinion that this edition of the Illinois Derby WON'T be entertaining any Kentucky Derby runners. But, then again if Uncle Mo stumbles.......who knows!
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