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The Sports Mole’s Derby Day Selections

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Race 1

2 ATIGUN – Ran 5th to Gemologist in the fall at CD and 5th to Bodemeister last out in Ark Derby

3 AFFORD – Split the field in the La Derby and Risen Star last two starts

5 POLITICALLYCORRECT – Faced Dullahan and Hansen in Blue Grass last out

 

Race 2

10 VASTEN – Amoss trainee just missed last month in his first sprint effort

6 HAMILTONIAN – Debuts for Larry Jones with a blistering half mile work at Keeneland

1 ROCK N GLAMOUR – Another firster that is bred for sprinting

 

Race 3

10 WINDSURFER – Broke maiden at GP, then was beaten less than five lengths in La Derby

4 Z DAGER – Beaten two lengths to top choice in La Derby

3 AGENT DI NOZZO – Extremely well bred to route and training expertly at a price

 

Race 4

12 TONTO FONTENOT - Is now the pick with the race going from turf to dirt; is 2 for 6 on conventional dirt and has been in great form
6 STAY PUT - Won on the Derby Day card two years back, but has yet to win since;  better opportunity in this watered down field
2 THE PROGRAM - Was my longshot selection on the grass, but going to stick with him on the dirt to hit the board because of his back class

 

Race 5

3 MILE HIGH MAGIC – Broke maiden last time for Baffert in very fast time and figures to be the one to beat

10 MACHO MACHO – Young sprinter had solid FG meet and only losses was when he hooked the very tough Bourbon Courage; 10-1 in morning line

1 SEVEN DEADLY SINS – 12-1 chance has been freshened by Al Stall and just missed in a fall stakes at CD

 

Race 6 – TURF SPRINT

4 BRIDGETOWN – Has triple digit Beyers in last three American races and Pletcher has him prepared for his return to the races

10 GREAT MILLS – Nosed out for the win at Keeneland in turf sprint stakes three weeks ago

11 CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE – Crafty eight year old is 4 for 8 on the CD grass course

 

Race 7 – CHURCHILL DOWNS HANDICAP

6 AMAZOMBIE – Won the BC Sprint last November at CD and comes into this race off of a stakes win in California

4 SHACKLEFORD – Ran 4th in the Kentucky Derby one year ago, but the 7 furlong spring should be right up his alley

7 GANTRY – 20-1 longshot will offer legitimate wagering value, as Faucheux trained him to three stakes victories at the FG

 

Race 8 – DISTAFF TURF MILE

3 MARKETING MIX – Is three for four in Kentucky and perfect over the CD grass course

5 DAISY DEVINE – Filly is four for her last four, capturing a Grade 1 prize in her recent outing

10 HUNGRY ISLAND - Replaces Aruna (scratched) as my third place selection; she was beaten a little over a length to my top pick in here despite going very wide

 

 

Race 9 – HUMANA DISTAFF

3 SASSY IMAGE – Louisville favorite Dale Romans will have this mare ready to defend her title in this race off of a layoff from August; 5 wins in 6 starts at CD

8 MUSICAL ROMANCE – Won the BC Filly & Mare Spring last November at CD

7 SWITCH – Has finished 2nd in the last two BC Filly & Mare Sprint editions

 

Race 10 – WOODFORD RESERVE TURF CLASSIC

6 DOUBLES PARTNER – Beaten a length in this race last year, is two for three on the CD lawn and was a troubled 3rd in Keeneland stakes last start

2 TURALLURE – Has been in the money in all five starts on CD turf course and beat top pick by ½ length last effort

7 DATA LINK – Beat the top two choices last time and has a good chance to repeat

 

Race 11 – KENTUCKY DERBY

4 UNION RAGS - Tough to separate from a few of these, but going with the Mike Matz trained colt. Was closing fast for 3rd in the Florida Derby in last and jockey Leparoux should give him a better ride this time around; just missed in only CD start
6 BODEMEISTER - Trying to win without racing as a 2 year old, something that has not been done in this race in 130 years. Had the most impressive Kentucky Derby prep race of all.
16 EL PADRINO - Translated into "The Godfather", this Pletcher charge is better than his 4th in the Florida Derby shows.
5 DULLAHAN - Won going away in the Blue Grass, flying down the lane to win on the synthetic surface. Concern is that he has not won on conventional dirt.
8 CREATIVE CAUSE - Defeated Bodemeister two starts back and is ultra-consistent, being in the money in all eight starts.

 

Race 12

1 CHILLED – Comes into this off of a six month layoff, but trainer McGee can get them ready and could take advantage of a soft paced trip on the fence

5 DE PRICE – Romans trainee may need a quick pace to target, but has run 2nd six times in eighteen trips to the starting gate

10 GOODTIMEHADBYALL – A freak for CD, this gelding has three wins in five starts at CD and will offer some value at 12-1

 

Race 13

1 DYNAMICAL / 1A MOON TRAVELER – The Mark Casse trained entry were both six figure purchases at the sale and have run well in their careers, as they both sit on wins

5 PARABELLUM – Like the blinkers on move by trainer Amoss; has two seconds in as many starts and his daddy won the Kentucky Derby a few years back…just to note

4 Z CAMELOT – Was no match in last start, a lagging effort in the Florida Derby behind Take Charge Indy; does he like the dirt though?

 
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