Derby Preps and more

[Bogey]

The Derby field really starts taking shape after this weekend with some top performers needing solid efforts. There is also some great stakes around the country.

Aqueduct - All Stakes PK4 - R7 - G3 Bay Shore (ESPN 4p-5p est)

#1 Les Grands Trois - Undefeated Frankel runner ships in from Cali and brings his jock Flores.

#5 Bill Place - Ran well on the inner and picks up Corny. Won

#6 Wollaston Bay - Back to sprinting where he's had success after tiring badly in the Gotham.

R8 - G1 Wood (ESPN 4p-5p est)

#2 Nobiz Like Shobiz - Adds the blinkers and should be one of the favorites come May 5. Won

#1A Any Given Saturday - Gutsy performer looks for another fight with another top derby contender. 3rd

R9 - G1 Carter

#4 Silver Wagon - Should go over the Mil mark here. Super talented sprinter is best going 7/8ths. 4 out of his 6 career wins have been going 7 panels. Won

#5 Diabolical - Looks to regain top form of last fall. Should improve off his 1st start of the year. 2nd

#6 Latent Heat - Absolutely loves the distance and comes in razor sharp winning 4 out of his last 5 for Frankel.

R10 - G3 Excelsior

#1 Corithian - Handled some nice horses down at Gulfstream twice this winter. He has a serious shot to make some noise in the handicap division later on this year. He's a bit high strung and one has to wonder what effect the detention barn will have on him. Single - Bad beginning worse ending

The Play - $1 PK4 - 1 5 6 with 1 2 with 4 5 6 with 1 = $18 (punch til your arm gets tired depending on your bankroll)

Hawthrone - G2 Illinois Derby

#5 Cobalt Blue - He's simply the horse to beat after two impressive wins at Santa Anita. Merv Griffin decided to go the Chicago route to the Derby.

#1 Sacrifice Bunt - The Lunsford home bred is a deep closer and will benefit from a hot pace.

#2 Bold Start - Reunites with L. Melancon after a nice 2nd place finish in the G2 Hutcheson at GP. He's a big colt and should move forward here. 3rd

#4 Cowtown Cat - Gotham winner showed the ability to run off the pace. Won

#7 Catman Running - Battaglia winner comes in off 3 victories in a row and has won on this surface.

#6 Quite Acceptable - Won prep (War Emblem) as the odds on and steps up with the big boys here.

The Play - $1 Tri Box - 1 2 4 5 = $24

Keeneland - R8 - Lafayette

#8 Out of Gwedda - 3rd in tough G2 Hutcheson at GP looks to rebound and find the winner's circle here for Pletcher.

#11 Barkley Sound - Nicely bred colt is the only 2 time winner at 7 furlongs. Comes in with 3 straight victories and the connections have been pointing for this race.

#3 Silver Express - Zito runner should bounce back after dismal effort going two turns. The hood comes off.

The Play - $5 Ex Box - 3 8 11 = $30

R9 - G1 Ashland

#5 Octave - I look for her to turn the tables here in her 2nd start of the year. 2nd

R10 - ALW turf

#4 MAY NIGHT - Makes important 3rd start off a layoff. Competitve versus graded company last fall and reunites with Robby. Most likely the favorite and the rest should be running for 2nd. Single in multi-race wagers or play to win. 2nd

Santa Anita - R6 - G1 Santa Anita Derby (NBC 5p-6p est)

#8 King of the Roxy - G2 Hutcheson winner at GP was ultra impressive. Sire was a speed sprinter, but dam and damsire both won route races. The Ohio bred has a class edge here and looks to show he belongs in the Derby. 2nd

#7 Level Red - Adds the blinks after decent 3rd in G2 San Felipe. He's 2 for 5 at SA.

#2 Sam P - Well traveled younster ran his best race to date last time when 2nd to Great Hunter (top derby contender) in the RB Lewis. Pletcher adds the blinkers here. 3rd

#5 Liquidity - He's better than he showed in the LA Derby when tired badly. Back in Cali.

Oaklawn - R8 - G1 Apple Blossum

#7 Round Pond - Prado seems fit to lose a bunch of other mounts to make sure she gets back to her winning ways. 3rd

#5 Take D' Tour - Talented girl looks to strut her stuff vs grade 1 company. 2nd

R10 - G2 Oaklawn Handicap

#5 Lawyer Ron - Looks to establish himself as a real top handicap horse. 2nd

#4 Papi Chullo - The well traveled grey looks to pick up the pieces.

Sam Houston - R7 - G3 John Connally (post time 10:36p est)

#4 Fort Prado - Defending champ looks to bounce back after dull effort in the FG BCH as the fav. 4th

#1 Mending Fences - Will show the way up front as he did versus English Channel at GP. Won

#2 Embossed (Ire) - Inside post will help rail trip. 2nd

#7 Storm Treasure - Only one career victory, but must be included underneath.

#5 Silver Tree - Might have the Lave Man syndrome? Struggles outside of Florida.

The Play - $1 Tri Key 4 over 1 2 5 7 = $12

Good Racing Luck