Three Derby Preps on a Saturday

Today we look at three great prep races for the Kentucky Derby which is only four weeks away.  All of these horses will be competing for the purse to get them to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.  Kentucky Derby starters are determined by graded stakes earnings.  Only twenty will start in the run for the roses.

Aqueduct Race 9 {Wood Memorial~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This will be a very talented field going to the starting gate.  Four of the six starters in this race have all posted triple digit speed numbers.  Eskendereya (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) is the favorite and deservedly so.  He has already raced over this distance posting the highest speed number.  Eskendereya also has a three race progression and four serious workouts prepping for this.  Should be counted on for the win.  The battle is for second and third to increase the graded earnings of the others.  Jackson Bend (Borel / Zito) should run a big race.  He currently has a two race progression and three superb, peaking workouts.  Schoolyard Dreams (Dominguez / Ryan) is a wonderful hard charging horse.  He has a triple digit last out speed number, a five race progression, and two fierce workouts in preparation for this race.  The others in here will be fighting for a small piece of the purse.  Carnivore (Shepherd / Delozier) is 100% in the money for his three race career and has posted the best three peaking workout tab.  Awesome Act (Leparoux / Noseda) will be flying late with his three digit last out speed number, a three race progression, and two robust workouts.  Most Happy Fella (Napravnik / Badgett) will be the speedster near the front end of the race.  He has a decent last out speed number, a four race progression, and one limber workout.  Let's play this fine Aqueduct race.

$2 WIN:  #3 Eskendereya
$2 SHOW:  #5 Jackson Bend
NO 10 CENT Superfecta for this race.

Santa Anita Race 6 {Santa Anita Derby~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
Another fabulous Kentucky derby prep.  One of the most exciting of the Southern California season.  Lookin At Lucky (Gomez / Baffert) will be the favorite and should win this one.  Though he does not need the graded stakes earnings, he will need to run a good race to stay sharp for the Kentucky Derby.  Lookin At Lucky is 100% in the money for his seven race career, has the highest last out speed number and two healthy workouts.  Will be the one to beat.  Setsuko (Bejarano / Mandella) is one of only four who has traversed this distance.  He has a decent last out speed number and three well-built, peaking workouts.  Who's Up (V. Espinoza / Puhich) will be the surprise in this ten horse field.  He has the second highest speed number and has the best workout tab with three muscular, peaking workouts.  Alphie's Bet (Solis / Barba) will be closing fast and should be able to get a good piece of the purse.  He has registered a win over this distance, has a good last out speed number and has posted two hardy workouts.  Let's play the Santa Anita Derby.

$2 WIN:  #7 Lookin At Lucky
$2 SHOW:  #5 Setsuko
10 CENT Superfecta:  #7 Lookin At Lucky / #5 Setsuko / #3 Who's Up, #10 Alphie's Bet / #3, #10.

Hawthorne Race 7 {Illinois Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
This is a challenging eight horse field to handicap.  All of these guys have tremendous talent and could pull off the victory.  American Lion (Flores / Harty) has a very slight edge as his workout tab is the very best of the entrants in here. He will be trying dirt for the first time.  American Lion has the third (tied) best overall speed number and a fair last out speed number.  He could be sitting on a big race.  Backtalk (Mena / Amoss) is the morning line favorite who has not yet gone this distance, but has a terrific workout tab which includes a smoking six furlong work.  Boulder Creek (Emigh / Dollase) is the only horse in the race who has gone this distance.  He has a decent last out speed number and two excellent workouts.  Turf Melody (Rose / Motion) looks ready to run a fine race.  He has the second highest last out speed number and one solid workout.  Turf Melody is also the most experienced in here with nine races to his credit.  Yawanna Twist (Prado / R. Dutrow) will undoubtedly be one of the favorites in here.  He is the only one with a triple digit speed number, his last out, and two stout workouts.  Hawthorne has a long stretch run and conditioning will be key to a victory in this race.  Let's play the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course.

$2 SHOW:  #1 American Lion
$2 SHOW:  #7 Backtalk
10 CENT Superfecta:  #1 American Lion / #7 Backtalk / #3 Boulder Creek /#5 Turf Melody, #4 Yawanna Twist.

















Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Our first pick, Macias, finished 6th.  Our second pick, Strike the Tiger, finished 2nd for $5.20 in show money.  No superfecta wagered as there were a couple of scratches.
Bankroll dips to $20.30.