The 13th Running of the G3 SUN Derby
Sunday, March 26, 2023
SUN Race #10 $600.000
3YOs 120 Lbs 11/8
KYD POINTS RACE (50-20-15-10-5)
Course Record-1:47.60 (King Cobra/Beach Dandy-2015/2019)
#1 Last Centurion (Barcelona Farms/E.J. Wilson): Homebred gelding is a winner of three in six races, including last out score in $100.000 El Camino Real. Has shown different tactics in two starts this season; however, went to the front and never looked back in first spin on this engine. Advantageously drawn to try the for the same trip this time.
#2 Racket Cat (Alydar Stables/D. Van Dyke): Gelding didn’t make his debut until January and proved to be a quick study as he returned last month to win a MSW going down the hill at SA. Lot of firsts this time around, first route, first two turn start, and first time against winners. Runners with similar resumes have scored points already this weekend, and dirt works are solid enough.
#3 The Southern Way (Riggins Racing/F. Geroux): Colt was claimed for $50.000 in the maiden-breaker before only racing once and being sold for $185.000 to this outfit. Caught a “good” surface going 7-panels in the G2 San Vicente where he used a late run to grab fourth while being beaten by two lengths. New barn gives him a chance to make the big one in his first start carrying their silks.
#4 Silent Murder (Mb Stables/Ru. Silvera): Two-time winning gelding took a while to get started in the slop down at OP before rallying late to finish 5th and just beaten three lengths. Work tab suggests that the off going didn’t do him any favors, so it’s fair to suspect an improved effort here. Barn currently has eight qualifiers, so he better show something special if he wants to get in the discussion.
#5 Duster (Nakamura Stables/F.T. Alvarado): Colt made a winning debut at the free track, ran 3rd in a TUP N1X, then won two race in February at the FG including the $75.000 Half Ours. All four starts have been routes and you have to respect the fact he owns a win at this distance. Drawn perfectly to employ his stalk-and-pounce strategy from his previous races.
#6 Pink Shark (Arindel/P. Lopez): Gelding broke his maiden in a $500.000 turf stake before competing in the G1 BC Juvenile Turf. He’s already competed in three KYD preps and was a runner-up in a G2 before taking a G3 just after the calendar turned. Not sure what went wrong down at TAM but take confidence in the trainer’s faith to spot him here.
#7 Re Aggravation (Bayou Star Farm/Jo. Dominguez): Gelding won at 2nd asking before competing in four consecutive restricted stakes for Cal-breds. After not finding the winner’s circle, he went through the sales ring where he brought a winning bid of $9.000. This outfit took him out of State-bred company for both starts since, and he did finish 3rd in the local prep.
#8 Alive (Rampage Stable/I. Ortiz Jr): Broke his maiden in his third start and took a crack at winners before visiting the vet for the ultimate equipment change. He’s run well in two starts since while only being beaten by a length in each, and he was the runner-up in the aforementioned El Camino Real. Like the fact that he retains the services of the pilot from that effort.
#9 Times Ticking (Angelos Stable/E. Jaramillo): Claimed for $50.000 down at GP in a maiden-breaking effort, he returned in less than two weeks’ time to finish 4th in the G3 Gotham after being involved every step from the 12-hole. Took an “extra” week off for this assignment, but the barn is giving him every opportunity to race his way into the KYD.
#10 Energizer Bunny (Mb Stables/L. Saez): Gelding defeated State bred MSW company in his fifth try before relishing the slop while taking the G2 Rebel down at OP. He’s one of a host of runners the barn has at their disposal, so he needs not only to best this field, but he must also prove he’s good enough to get the starting nod over his barn mates as well.
#11 Buccaneers Bounty (Nakamura Stables/D.E. Centeno): Gelding won two in a row on the dirt before taking the $100.000 Dania Beach on the lawn to run his winning streak to three. He was much further back in the G3 Davis; however, he made a nice rally to close a lot of ground in a 5th-place performance. Have to appreciate the fact that he likes to win, he just can’t leave himself too much to do against these.
#12 Lets Race (Alydar Stables/J.R. Velazquez): Closer has found his turn of foot since visiting the vet as he has made up ground in each of his last three starts. Now, he didn’t hit the wire first in any of the three; however, you have to like the late run he’s produced on both dirt and turf. Gets some extra ground to work with here, and his work tab is one of the more impressive one’s in this group.
#13 Jokers Wild (D J C Racing Stables/SCRATCHED)
#14 Napples (Mo Mentum Farm/A. Cedillo): Gelding took the G2 KY Jockey Club in his juvenile finale, but he’s hoping his form heats up with the weather as he’s run poorly at FG and OP this winter. In his defense, he’s drawn 11 of 13, 10 of 12, and now 13 of 14 in his three starts this season. Barn turns to a new pilot to try and correct his course.
#15 Book Of Sinissippi (South Shore Stables/R.M. Hernandez): Claimed for $10.000 in a FG N2L turf sprint back in January. He’s hit the board in six of eight and he has some serious early foot. On the other hand, all eight races have been run at 6f or less. So, first start for the barn, first start routing/going two turns, first start on this engine, and he draws-in off the AE so he’s stuck in Las Cruces.
#16 Chameleon (Rock Creek/ALSO ELIGIBLE)
#17 Hide And Seek (Night Mare Racing/ALSO ELIGIBLE)
Final Analysis: 10-1-6 is how we’ll play the G3 SUN Derby. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
