The 14th Running of the G3 OK Derby
Sunday, September 25, 2022
RP Race #2 $400.000
3YOs 122 Lbs 11/8
Course/Stakes Record-1:47.53 (Dutty John Crow-2021)
#1 Thunder Gultch (Guidry Jr/S. Elliott): Brought a winning bid of $50.000 just last week and gets a chance to reward the new barn’s faith here. Excellent 3rd-place in the G1 KYD, but hasn’t been able to replicate that effort the last two times we’ve seen him. He’s a winner at this level and should appreciate the drop in class. In the past we’ve seen him settle before being produced, so he’s drawn well here to save all of the ground.
#2 Blamethespeedparty (Martyparty/G. Corrales): Gelding gets back to routing for this after trying the G1 at the Spa where he couldn’t sustain his late rally. Goes a bit further in here than he’s traveled before, but he should handle the trip. His last two weren’t his best and he’s drawn well to try to get out of his funk.
#3 Uranus (Smokey Stover/C. Kimes): His good races are really good and would put him right there if he can avoid the inconsistency that’s plagued him this season. A three-time runner-up at stakes level (beaten a half, a half, and a nose), he’s also been beaten 6, 10, and 14 lengths after taking the G3 Lewis. His main issue appears to be the start, but he has shown the ability to rally from off of it when he’s on his game. Tough call.
#4 Force Of The Shark (Arindel/E. Maldonado): Punctuated a three-race, NY-bred winning streak with a neck score in last month’s $250.000 Albany and comes here with all kinds of positive momentum. Faces unrestricted company for the first time since March in this, his first graded assignment. Likes to sit just behind a target and that style should suit him well here as he tries to secure his third straight 9-furlong win.
#5 Top Gun (D J C Racing Stables/P. Lopez): Winner of the Sir Barton at PIM in May, he’s coming off of back-to-back OTB efforts. Best races have seen him sit just off of the early pace-setter, so expect to see him fully engaged from the start. He’ll need to catch a clean break, but he was close to getting in the KYD as he was only beaten a length down at OP.
#6 Killer Instinct (Mb Stables/R.M. Hernandez): Took the $125.000 Shared Belief on the front-end three weeks ago as he showed a new dimension by going straight to the front and improving his position. There’s not a ton of speed here, so while he may have a little bit of company up front, the pace doesn’t appear to be too fast for his liking. Keeps the pilot from last time and looks to be in with a chance.
#7 Good Guy (Arindel/E. Jaramillo): Running in his 9th stake of the season, and 10th race overall, this guy shouldn’t be intimidated by any of these. Took the Winn at this same level back in June and his dirt form is among the most consistent in the field. Gets caught with a tricky post here, but he seems versatile enough that he will get a decent trip.
#8 Hold My Beer (Mojica Racing/J.J. Castellano): His first crack at routing resulted in a fine 3rd-place effort in a $250.000 FP stake. He rallied from 6-7 lengths back on a “good” course that day, but have to think that he has more speed if it’s requested. Has to go a bit further here against the best field he’s seen, but he usually puts in an hones day’s work when he hits the track.
#9 Cheveley Park (Mo Mentum Farm/A.A. Gallardo): KYD participant is a winner at this level and has several near-misses against quality opposition as well. Didn’t get any favors with the draw, but he’s handled these wide posts admirably in the past. If he can somehow manage to sit 2-3 wide in the tracking flight, he should have enough quality to be very hard to handle even from the wide gate.
Final Analysis: Sticking with the hot hand, we’ll go 4-9-6 in the G3 OK Derby. Good luck to all of the connections!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
