The IND Derby Grade 3

Purse $300.00 For Three Year Olds 1 1/16 on Dirt
Horseshoe Indianapolis, Shelbyville, IN.

Three year old’s take center stage on Saturday at Horseshoe as it’s now Derby time in the land of the Hoosiers. There will be many angles to consider when you study for this one, no doubt, but lets try to sift through the information and come up with some plays. Uncoupled entry-mates from Mb Stables usually take a lot of handicapping interest and this time it’s no exception. Apirana was second in the Louisiana Derby and then got blown out in the run for the roses at Churchill Downs. His last saw him get back to his winning ways in the grade 3 Winn Stakes. It looks like this is his preferred distance and he is drawn perfectly in the middle of the pack and will certainly take some beating. The barn also sends out Silver Hurricane who just missed beating the top pick by a scant head on the wire. Purchased for just $35 in early January, he has been a pleasant surprise for the barn in winning twice, including the grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He obviously fits with his stable-mate here. Magic Fighter from Maxmillion Farm ran gutsy efforts in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, finishing fourth on both occasions. The outside draw is the only reason he is not picked on top here. The gelding is versatile, but the fact is that he is best coming around horses. His only wire-to-wire score was on a good track for optional $62.50 and in his next start, on a dry surface, he tried to wire the group in the San Felipe Stakes but got caught, so I am guessing that regardless of track bias he will take back and make one run. That scenario is not easy in a full field on this oval, so he will again have to be gutsy in his effort Saturday. Term Limits from TwinTowers Racing draws the rail and like the horse just profiled, he will also close here. The difference being that he will do it from the confines of the rail where he will take back, loose no grounds and the have to weave a passage through traffic. He is clearly not as seasoned as the horses picked above him, but his last was a pip.

Of The Rest;

Bank Robber from Our Athletes appears to not want much longer than this distance, as evidenced by his last two performances. He might be more dangerous today than some handicapper’s will think.

Coach McGuirk from Mo Mentum Farm is looking for his fourth straight victory party, but picks a salty spot to try and pull it off in. No way to make any complaints about this guy, but if he does have a victory party here it will take even more improvement.

Strike from DJC Racing Stables has a nice bankroll, but it was mostly earned in one big run in the mud in a NY state-bred stakes. The point being, after getting blown out of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes he appears to be an outsider in here.

Unique Journey from Waldo clearly wants a rock hard surface and he has enough natural gas to be effective as both a sprinter and middle distance horse. He should be a price and might give a good sight for a while in here. Food for thought in your exotics.

Southwind from Acber Farms is another who might not care for any distance much beyond Saturday’s. Yes, he got blown out in the big ones recently, but his form has some bright spots, all at this trip or a notch beyond. More food for thought and should also be a good number on the board.

Big Dog from John Henry was purchased for only $20 and has been a pleasant surprise for the barn. No way to fault what he has done, but the resume looks more than a tad light for this cast.

Connect The Dots from First Flight Stables is a tough read here. Obviously light on his resume for this, like the horse picked just above him, but an interesting way to look at him is if you can or can not make an excuse for the last run. Distance wise he can do this, but I wanted more last time and can’t excuse the effort, so I don’t see it Saturday. On the other hand, he might be a must include in your deepest exotic tickets.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES