The Nashville Derby Grade 2

1 5/16 on Turf – Purse $3,000.00 For Three Year Olds
Kentucky Downs, Franklin Kentucky

-When the purse is $3000 you know it’s going to be a major tussle and this race is no exception. After winning the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint, Gaelic Commander was purchased for $400 by his current connections, High Voltage. The new barn wasted no time in sending him two-turns after an easy down-the-hill win in Arcadia to start their term off. His last was his best yet and he should be able to handle the added real estate given to him here. His 101 number earned last time tops the charting and his $2131.80 in earnings is only topped by triple crown runner Bold Intruder who draws the far outside post and is winless on the sod. While Gaelic Commander is no lock, he is the now horse and clearly the horse to beat. I talked with the trainer earlier in the week and the decision to skip another spot a few weeks back and run here a little fresher was a big one that he certainly hopes pays off Saturday. Reign Supreme from Mb Stables looked good as the favorite in The Saratoga Derby, winning with apparently something in reserve. The way he was moving through the lane gave this reporter the distinct notion that he will have no problem with this distance. He certainly won’t be short. Sausage Wiz from Night Rider Stables would be the claim of the year and would go down as one of the greatest claims in recent history with a win here. Taken for a mere $8, this guy comes out of the aforementioned Saratoga Derby where he finished third. He should get a perfect trip and if anything strange happens up front it would flatter his late kick. It would certainly be one for the ages if he pulled it off. Bold Intruder from The Sidley Stud got a tough draw here and for most handicapper’s that might be the final straw to leave him off their tickets, however, there is still some light at the end of that tunnel. “Intruder” tops the charting in money won and although he has not won on sod as earlier stated, he did run second in both of those starts. If, and that’s a big “if” he can work out a trip, he can obviously be dangerous because traditional handicapper’s will be happy to tell you that this is a three horse race. Food for thought, but demand some value.

Of The Rest;

Yellowbrick Road from DJC Racing Stables changed hands in March for $150 and has yet to enter the winner’s circle for the new connections in five tries. However, today is the first attempt in his career going beyond a mile and a sixteenth and if he wants it, that could be a game changer. He could be the value play at the bottom of your deeper exotic plays.

Eyes Forward from Royalty Stables is another recent low level purchase with some claims here. Taken for only $30, this guy threw down in both starts since for the new connections and just won the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes in wire-to-wire fashion. Not the fastest grade 2 splits of all time, but he earned the win and punched his own ticket to this dance. He adds more excitement to the storyline here for sure.

Go Go Goblin, also from Mb Stables draws the rail, has gas and will certainly not wait to be covered up in this spot. He comes off a four length victory in The Water Tower where he only had four advisories to deal with. Always hard to judge the effort when a horse opens up on a small field like that. Possibly easier to see him fading here rather than pulling off that same run again given this context.

Wealthy B Wonka, also from Mb Stables is another turning to the sod after spending most of his time on dirt. He has the perennial leading barn calling the shots, but even after a win in his last start, a state-bred stakes, he still seems like he is up against it here and looking at a minor nibble at best.

Cumberland Blue from Jerry Garcia Racing has only a single turf run on his resume, it was a fourth place finish in The National Museum of Racing stakes in his last start. He should get the distance here and could be used on real deep exotic wagers underneath, but he will need a meltdown up front in all likelihood.

Launch Code from TwinTowers Racing might be the key to this race even without being picked to hit the board. “Code” hasn’t hit the board in two previous route attempts, but has gas, draws outside of most and could really throw a wrench into the proceedings with a run and gun attempt. Regardless of what the instructions are, I see him breathing fire in the lane here.

Simple Man from Serenity Stables has the connections in a tough spot. Purchased for $400 in March, the gelding has only broken into the trifecta once in three attempts, a third place finish last time in The Marine Stakes. The debt keeps rising in the pay for play league and on top of that this guy looks in deep with the draw, the unproven distance and the context. The stable accountant will however be all smiles if he puts it together Saturday, but I think that’s sadly an unlikely possibility.

Terafunk from Maletto eyeballs his third straight victory party and what a celebration that would be here. Unfortunately, he picks about as tough a race to do it in as possible here given the fact that he comes off a NY state bred first level allowance and a NY state bred stakes. Also hasn’t seen beyond a mile, so while not mission impossible, it’s probably pushing the boundaries of realistic hope.

Southwind from Acber Farms is a dirt horse and triple crown also ran taking a shot here in a giant money turf marathon. He has never been on sod under silks, so anything could happen, but it seems highly unlikely. He should be a giant price if you believe.

New Yorks Finest from Big Jd Racing simply does not have the numbers or form to be taken seriously here so I will have to pass.

Also Eligable

Knockturn Alley from Delta Farms is on the A/E list and will most likely not start. His lone turf win being a first level allowance at Philadelphia Park adds to the hope that he doesn’t.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES