We are one month away from Kentucky Derby 138, the first Saturday in May when the three year old runners get their chance to shine in the sun! Last weekend, the leader of this year's group; Union Rags had a very eventful trip as the odds-on favorite in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park . A inside trip and lack of running room late, cause this talented runner to finish a well beaten third. While some may say that this effort has taken some of the "shine" off his record to date, I believe he had no chance to run until deep stretch. By that time, the race was over and Take Charge Indy led the group, wire to wire. Speed was king at Gulfstream on Saturday and that benefited the winner. Come the "first Saturday in May" though, Union Rags should be and most likely, will be my top selection.
On Sunday, a full field was assembled at the Fairgrounds in the Louisiana Derby . A somewhat wide open event, expect for the entry of Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling who were the favorites, there was no clear cut other runner. When there are races like this, sometimes the result can be puzzling. This was true when the 109-1 longest shot on the board; Hero of Order prevailed over the favorite entry. The winner, who is NOT Kentucky Derby nominated paid $220.80 to win. This result seems to dismiss the Fairgrounds group of three year old runners this year in my opinion. This week we have three more prep races as we get closer to see the twenty horses that will go to post in this year's Derby .
First race up comes from Aqueduct, the final NY prep race; the Wood Memorial with a field of eight runners. The undefeated Todd Pletcher runner; Gemologist (#6) ships up from Gulfstream Park coming off a seven length victory going a mile on a good racing surface. I'll try to beat this 8/5 morning line favorite with the very talented Chad Brown runner; Street Life (#5). He was a recent two-turn overnight stakes winner here closing for victory in a slow paced race. Making his third lifetime start, this son of Street Sense has a tremendous up side and needs this race for graded stakes earnings. For second, the locally based; Alpha (#1) has been rock solid this winter over the Aqueduct Inner-track. This will be his first start in two months and meets tougher foes today. The favorite; Gemologist (#6), Casual Trick (#2) & My Adonis (#3) will be my underneath horses.
The grade III - Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park has a over flow field of 17 runners with only 14 eligible to go post ward. A talented two year old from last year, makes his second start of 2012. Currency Swap (#4) finished a distant 2nd behind Wood Memorial favorite; Gemologist last time out at Gulfstream Park . I think he'll be much tighter today and gets my top pick. For second, I'm going with a very big longshot; Fastestwhogetspaid (#9) at 30-1 on the morning line. Recent winner at 38-1 sprinting at Oaklawn in a overnight stake, he returns to his home base here where two victories over the Hawthorne strip. My underneath exotic runners are; Romancing the Gold (#1), Hakama (#2) & Our Entourage (#11).
We wrap things up with the final west coast prep at Santa Anita Park, the Santa Anita Derby . Ten runners are entered (with three trained by Bob Baffert) are head lined by the rail horse; Creative Cause (#1) recent winner of the San Felipe Stakes. He'll be my top pick off that race and may be one of the top three choices in the Kentucky Derby with a good effort today. My second choice, is Holy Candy (#3) coming off a recent maiden victory with three straight 2nd place finishes before that. I'll round out my exotics with; I'll Have Another (#4), Longview Drive (#5) & Midnight Transfer (#8).
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