A major prep which features many of the same horses we saw here last month in the Risen Star, the field is led by explosive Gun Runner, who won that race.
One thing that stands out for me, as one who uses history of races as a tangential handicapping tool, is that the horses who have LA Derby over the years have been excellent, but not the caliber of the Animal Kingdom’s, Orb’s, California Chrome’s and Big Browns of the horse racing world.
This race has been won by steady earners with many finding success in the shed after racing’s over, but few who were historical knockouts (International Star, Vicar’s in Trouble, Revolutionary, Hero of Order, who have won the last 4 LA Derb’s, come to mind).
Indeed, just two out of this race have ever won the Kentucky Derby, Black Gold, in 1924, and Grindstone in 1996, who many will argue, still today, including me, that Cavonnier was the winner in the photo, not Grindstone.
Lots of chatter about how Gun Runner will dominate again against many of those he faced in the Risen (Mo Tom, Uncle Walter, Candy My Boy, Tom’s Ready, Zapperini, Forevamo). I’m not so sure. While I am not saying he is a play-against, there are a few others in here plus a few that were in the Risen that might have something to say about the outcome.
And that includes Todd Pletcher’s Battery, an improving 3-year old who seems to be ready to graduate in his first stakes.
boxing 1,6,9,11 in tri and ex. thought for sure the 9 for cox and 11 for stahl could jump up. good luck fellas...
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