3/22/2025

  14   FG   Mike LaRosa LA Derby (GII) [KYD]     

$1,000.000      3yo        1^3/16th Mile  Dirt         122lbs

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It’s an absolute honor to cover this race for the SRF… two years, just as raw as if it were this morning.  Mike is missed every single day and the fact that I am trusted to cover this race means a ton to me.

He would not want the frivolities, so let’s get to the horse race…  The 2025 Mike LaRosa LA Derby (GII)… a race that will answer some questions about class, stamina and the will to win.  We have a very solid group of fourteen entrants for this $1,000.000 race and I for one cannot wait for the gates to spring open.

We are here to handicap, so which way do I see this one?  The Card and I both have Losing Hazard on top today.  His only blemish is that first-out maiden race, and we all know how we feel about that… line right thru it!  Since then, nothing but Kodak moments including three stakes scores, and that last out win in the Southwest tells me he doesn’t need the lead.  This gelding is all you could hope for, and I look for another win. 

I really like Darrow, and it’s always hard to leave Mb Stables off of any ticket.  Two-for-two since the vet stopped by to let him know that he will not be next to Commanding in the stud barn.  He has speed to avoid traffic but looks to want the distance… he could be the one to beat. 

I love the fact that Axon has a trip over the surface… you know me and home cookin’, and I might have him higher up on the ticket, but that off-the-pace style may be tough in this huge field.  Also, that last out race was his only time off of the ticket, although he did still bring home the minor money… but let’s hope he stays a bit closer to the pace and rounds out our tri.

A great day of racing, a great field for this centerpiece… just the way he would have wanted it!! 

Here’s The Field –

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1		Street Magician		Angelos Stable		Rodriguez A R		122		12/1
2		Poor Scoer		Hippyheart		Alvarado F T		122		10/1
3		Hes A Runner		LionKing Stables		Smith M E		122		12/1
4		Darrow		Mb Stables		Velazquez J R		122		7/2
5		Ref You Def		Night Rider Stables		Silvera Ru		122		8/1
6		No Brainer		Alydar Stables		Curtis B		122		10/1
7		Criminal Law		D J C Racing Stables		Hernandez R M		122		8/1
8		Axon		Team 7 Illusions		Davis D		122		6/1
9		Gold State		Mb Stables		Franco M		122		10/1
10		Scorched		Mb Stables		Gaffalione T		122		7/1
11		Losing Hazard		Asgar		Lopez P		122		3/1
12		Magical Embrace		Riggins Racing		Birzer A E		122		12/1
13		Tube		Williams9		Prat F		122		6/1
14		Galaxy Brain		Axeman		Geroux F		122		8/1

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 COZMAN  11 / 4 / 8           Willie’s Green Card  11 / 7 / 2-4   

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