The 14th Running of the G3 ONT Derby
Sunday, October 23, 2022
WO Race #3 $150.000
3YOs 123 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/8
Course Record-1:47.13 (Hint Of Mint-2012)
Stakes Record-1:48.04 (Savannah Ruler-2021)
#1 Croton Road (Invicta Group Llc/J. Stein): Gelding is 1-2 since the claim with a $250.000 score before getting beaten a length when 6th last time in a G1. In both efforts he showed a nice late kick, but he has proven useful up close as well. Should appreciate the drop in class and figures to get the trip he wants from this draw.
#2 Changing Times (D J C Racing Stables/R.M. Hernandez): G1 BG winner has yet to find the winner’s circle in five starts since. He was 4th and 3rd, respectively, in the G1 KYD and Haskel where he was beaten a length both times. Late-running sort should be able to save plenty of ground and should appreciate the drop from G1 company; however, he’ll need to time it just right.
#3 Straegic Ruler (Broken Spoke Stables/D. Fukumoto): Colt has won half of his six races this season and totes a two-race winning streak to this. Has been laying just off of the pace recently, and that style should play well for him here. Figures to out-break the two drawn inside of him, so he should sit an excellent trip. Unlike a few in here, this is a step up in competition for him but you can’t fault the form.
#4 Pennine Way (Hippyheart/G. Boulanger): Colt has been in the exacta four times from five races and had a three-race winning streak stopped with the narrow loss in a G3 at PRX. Began the year as a maiden, so this has been an impressive run of form since January. Figures to be involved from the word go and, if he can replicate the LA time, he definitely figures here.
#5 Magz (Gdp Inc/PP. Husbands): Gelding won at this level going 7f back in May, but is winless in four starts since. He hasn’t really ran poorly in any of the losses and he was just caught for $250.000 last out. Looks to be a versatile sort so it’ll be interesting to see the tactics employed in this spot. Nothing wrong with the worktab in prep for this.
#6 Schmidt (Nakamura Stables/J. Crawford): TX Derby winner has fallen short in three consecutive tries at this levels since. Last out he was just a length shy, so he’s not out of his depth here. Last work out was an improvement over his previous mile drills and he looks quick enough to stay within range from the start. Doesn’t always fire his best, but that’s what it will take to get over the hump here.
#7 Angel Dust (Arindel/D. Moran): Gelding couldn’t keep the momentum from his Curlin win going in two subsequent starts. He was only a couple lengths off of the pace in the $135.000 win at SAR, but he’s been at least five off of the early pace in the last two. He’s a bit inconsistent, but he’s in with a shot here if he can summon his best.
#8 Uranus (Smokey Stover/S.R. Bahen): Took the G3 Lewis back in February, but he’s been a runner-up three times during his seven-race losing streak since. Seems to be getting back on track at this level though as he was only beaten a length (4th) last out after missing by a nose for $250.000 in August. Gets stuck on the outside here, so options are a tad limited; however, he has shown he can run from just about anywhere. May be sitting on a big performance.
Final Analysis: We’ll take the colts to run big as we see it 4-3-8 in the G3 ONT Derby. Good luck to all of the connections!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
