This race seems to drawing better talent each year, but the Derby geniuses, while seemingly protecting Stronach's Gulfstream, refuse to give points for this race--even though it generally draws a better field then some of the lesser preps.
Grade 3 $250K and a 7-horse field, yet a much better field than the el Camino Real.
Let's start with #2, the talented Gettysburg for Pletcher, a $425,000 colt out of Pioneer of the Nile.....also the daddy of American Pharaoh
At what might be a generous 5-2 ML, the boy has improved each time out, including an impressive 4-1/2F win to break his maiden last out at GP. ...in a 14 horse field, I might add.
He looks like the goods, but might find some real competition in #3 Destin (also a Pletcher with Johnny V) and #4 Whatawonderfulworld, both nicely bred. #5 Rafting, son of Tapit and a Kris S mare, is a slight step behind and 90 Beyer Morning Fire at 4-1, a Friesen Fire boy.
Here we go.....
#3 Destin to win and place.....Clue for me is that Todd moved him here from FG after his dumpy LeComte, thus ducking the Risen Star, which will shape up to be a more contentious field than this. Needs to mature today to win, but up to par......
He looked ready to roll in NOLA, but pulled the el Crapo finishing 4th.
#4 Whatawonderfulworld....This NY-bred is better than OK. This just might be Mark Casse's year with a stable of nice 3-year olds. This one looks to improve, but he's got to get past Gettysburg and Destin at the end as all three figure to be bumping heads in the final furlong, and he will need a real effort.
#3 Gettysburg.....His to lose? Not sure, but he should draw some cash and might end up the fave. He should be game off his last and the work coming in.
#6 Morning Fire.....the PA bred draws local hero Daniel Centeno and that is very good. The colt has never finished out of the money and looks ready for run. The upsetter as he'll be near or on the lead?
#5 Rafting.....His 3-year old debut; off since November, but look at the work! Trainer Motion is a bland-ish 12% of this type of layoff, but he should be in the mix. A stakes winner at two turns at age two.
My picks:
#3 Destin to win and place
$18 exacta key: 3/2,4
$8 exacta key 3/5,6
$5 exacta wheel: 2,4/3
$2 tri wheel: 2,3,4/2,3,4,5,6/2,3,4,5,6
GL to all!
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