7/4/2020

 3  LA              LA Derby (GIII)
   $150.000           3yo          1  1/8m   Dirt                   120lbs +penalties

A solid group of eight sophomores will be headed to the gate for the 2020 running of the LA Derby (GIII) going a mile and an eighth here in SoCal on Saturday, and we should expect some fireworks in this 4th of July battle.  I’m going with Remson as my top choice today… he was running hard until a couple of TC races derailed things, but this looks like a spot where he can get the ship back on course.  I’ll look one gate over for the second choice and give Groovy a big shot here.  Another that was on the TC trail and has been rested since his seventh in the KYD (GI).  He should run well fresh and must be given a big look.  It’s a loaded-up race, so grab a cold snack and let’s take this one in.

Here’s The Field –

I was somewhat disappointed in his TC races as I really thought he would be a factor and seemed to be on top of his game.  The KYD was a known “speed ball” problem and he closed well to be sixth despite traffic, but he tired in the BEL after setting the early fractions.  Regardless, I think he’s a major player here today and a repeat of his SUN Derby win should get the job done here.

Another that was on the TC Trail and finished seventh in the KYD after a near miss second in the SA Derby.  He has five seconds and two thirds, so he is always around when the hand out checks, but can he get the job done and get a win?  We find out today.

Disappointed in a pair of stakes races so the vet paid a visit to get his mind back on the race game.  He responded to kick-tail in an ALW race at WO and now comes back to stakes company to see if he fits.  No published works since that win, so he’s a bit of a wild-card.  Still, I think he has a fighting chance.

Three wins from his last five starts since getting the unkindest of cuts, but did throw a bit of a dud last out when eighth in the TX Derby.  Now I’ll certainly give him a break on that one as I just don’t think he like the wet track that day.  If the suns is out, he has every chance in the world of being in the middle of this. 

Three race win streak after taking the Pegasus at MTH in his most recent, and they are bringing him back on short rest, off of the 6/13 start.  He’s been tough, and they don’t pay them to stand in the stall, and his tactical speed could be an interesting part of this one.  If he shakes clear on the lead, he could go on with it.

Another that won his last out race so they go after the gusto at the stake level.  He was tenth in the El Camino and also had a couple of tough starts before that last out victory.  Those race, including the win, were on the grass, so it’s hard for me to jump on his bus here.

He had a tough time in his two TC races… fourteenth in the KYD then sixteenth in the BEL and I really thought he was ready to throw a big effort in both of those races.  Three big stakes wins on his resume’ so I certainly think he can right the ship and get back to be a tough horse.

*** Early Scratch ***

His only less-than-desirable race came vs. stakes company when fifth in the TX Mile and he was only beaten three lengths in that one.  Other than that, it’s three wins a second and a third, all in MSW or Alw races.  The step up is a bit of a worry, but maybe this is his break-out race to get going in this company, but it’s a tough group.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES