JUDE FELD’S KENTUCKY DERBY DAY STAKES SELECTIONS
May 4th, 2013
The Kentucky Derby roses – Who will wear them this year? 6th Race) Turf sprints are often tough handicapping puzzles and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) is no exception. #4 GHOST IS CLEAR races for the red-hot team of jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Mike Maker. He should be flying at the finish. Surprisingly, not much speed is entered here. #7 BERLINO DI TIGER was a buzz-saw at this distance in his native Brazil over soft turf and might be a good longshot play if it rains. #8 ICON IKE is another who can motor in the late stages and will have jockey Rosie Napravnik calling the shots.
7th Race) #3 SAME CROSS broke slowly in her turf debut last time out, but ran on well. She is undefeated on the dirt and gets back to that surface here. The Larry Jones trainee should get a great trip in the Humana Distaff (G1), just behind the speed. #8 BYRAMA had nowhere to run in the stretch run of the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. She has never tried dirt racing, but she is in sharp form and will be tough if she handles the surface switch. #1 JAMAICAN SMOKE is brilliantly fast and should lead the way in a relatively paceless race. Ignore her at your peril.
8th Race) #8 MARKETING MIX won over a million bucks last year. The Tom Proctor-trained mare makes her 2013 debut in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), in search of her second million. Jockey Garrett Gomez rides her well and this field is not as deep as she is accustomed to facing. #3 DAISY DEVINE has won over half her starts. Speed is her greatest asset but #4 FRONTSIDE could give her a tussle on the front end. #5 HUNGRY ISLAND seems over the breathing problem that plagued her last year. She will be closing late and may run them all down.
9th Race) It doesn’t take a genius to see that #9 DELAUNAY is one of the best sprinters in North America. He has won five in-a-row – all stakes, and run some huge speed figures doing it. His outside post can only help him win the Churchill Downs Stakes (G2). #5 UNBRIDLED’S NOTE is a hard luck horse. He always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite all that, he’s banked nearly a half-million dollars for trainer Steve Asmussen. One of these days….
10th Race) The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) offers a great matchup between Horse of the Year #8 WISE DAN and incredible turf runner #9 POINT OF ENTRY. Racing fans around the globe will be watching these two talented runners square off. ‘DAN has a recent race and that tips the scale is his favor ever so slightly. If you are seeking trifecta partners, #3 OPTIMIZER and #6 JERANIMO would be good candidates.
11th Race) The 139th renewal of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is one of the best in recent memory. There are several top three-year-olds who could win the roses. #9 OVERANALYZE exits a victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1). He proved his mettle as a two-year-old, winning the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, the highest rated juvenile distance race of 2012. The Todd Pletcher trainee has breezed well at Churchill Downs in preparation for America’s greatest race and seems to be sitting on a top effort. His jockey, Rafael Bejarano, is among the best in the business. #16 ORB has looked sensational galloping and working up to the Derby this week. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has extreme confidence in his colt. He will give a leg-up to jockey Joel Rosario, who has totally dominated his opposition lately. The Malibu Moon colt should be right there at the wire. #8 GOLDENCENTS owns tremendous early speed in what looks like a fairly paceless race. He won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) by rating nicely under a long hold by jockey Kevin Krigger. He has been a happy horse all week long at Churchill Downs for trainer Doug O’Neill, who won last year’s Kentucky Derby with I’ll Have Another. #12 ITSMYLUCKYDAY has been thoughtfully prepared by trainer Eddie Plesa, Jr. The son of Lawyer Ron has tons of talent and should be upgraded considerably on an off track. #3 REVOLUTIONARY has overcome some very troubled trips to win three straight races. The son of War Pass is as game as they come and it would not be a shocker to see him in the winners’ circle again. If you are looking to use a “bracket buster†type horse in your Kentucky Derby exotic wagers, you could do worse than #4 GOLDEN SOUL. His speed figures have been making solid improvement, while his trainer, Dallas Stewart, continues to sing his praises. There is no doubt the son of Perfect Soul will be finishing strongly late and he could easily get a piece of the Derby pie at a boxcar price.
