The TAM Derby – GII (P6) [KYD]
TAM Race 8 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $400.000
Three Year Olds

A field of twelve three year old hopefuls are ready to go for this years Tampa Bay Derby. They will be trying to earn points towards the Kentucky Derby and the winner of this race is essentially automatically in the derby. Now let’s go ahead and take a look at this field of twleve.

1. Admiration (6-2-2-0 $95.800), trained by Mb Stables

The first of two runners from Mb Stables right here and this horse is coming into this race off of an eighth place finish in the grade three Withers. He has ran second in the Jerome and grade two KY Jockey Club so he does have some derby points. He will need to run a big race to win.

2. Ranger (5-3-2-0 $273.800), trained by Aer Stables

And here is the horse who is likely to be the favorite because he is coming into this race off of two straight wins in a row over this track. He won the Pasco in January and just won the Davis Stakes and earned derby points. He is likely to be the favorite and he has a very good chance to win for sure.

3. Milford Sound (4-3-0-0 $101.440), trained by Tiratzo

Another stakes winner right here but this hasn’t been a route of ground yet. He did win the Limehouse in his last start but that was only going six furlongs. He will have to run two and a half furlongs longer than he ever has. His works show that he should get the distance but it is a big question mark.

4. Texas Flood (8-2-3-0 $158.480), trained by D J C Racing Stables

And here is the first of two runners from the wizard D J C Racing Stables and this horse is entering this race off of a stakes win when won the Winkfield at Aqueduct. He ran second in the Limehouse to Milford Sound. He only has one race going a route and it wasn’t great so the distance is a question mark for him also.

5. Dreamscape (5-2-0-1 $256.960), trained by Joshua Stables

Here we have the winner of the grade two Holy Bull in his last start at Gulfstream Park. He won by a nose that day against some stiff competition and he looks like one of the top runners in here for sure. If he can repeat his performance of the Holy Bull he has a really good chance at winning.

6. For The Boys (9-3-1-4 $105.840), trained by D J C Racing Stables

And the second runner from D J C Racing Stables and this horse is entering this race off of a third place finish in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. He ran a pretty nice race that day but he will definitely need to run a better race to win here. He will need to run a big race to win here for sure.

7. Skyscraper (3-2-1-0 $39.220), trained by Four Winds Racing

Now here is a very lightly raced horse who has only made three career starts but they have been very been very productive so far. He won an optional claimer at Gulfstream last out and that was also his first start going long. He has passed every test but this is a tough ask for him for sure.

8. Unfold (3-1-1-1 $47.000), trained by Mb Stables

The second runner from Mb Stables right here and this runner is coming into this race off of a win against maiden special weight company at Santa Anita going a mile and an eighth. The route seemed to be his ticket so if he is good enough to beat these he will like this distance for sure.

9. Serpiente Party (7-4-1-1 $98.110), trained by T Boy Racing

Well here is my runner right here and he is going to be making his first start since I bought him in late January. He is a stakes winner against West Virginia bred company and he ran second in the Allison Derby in his first start going long last out. I think he has a lot of talent but this is definitely a very tough ask.

10. Twin Towers (5-2-1-0 $79.200), trained by Estero Farms

Last years winning trainer of this race brings this runner in who will be making his first start for the new barn after he was purchased for one thousand dollars. He is coming into this spot off of a win against allowance company at Santa Anita. No doubt he is a talented horse but he has never been tested like this.

11. Liberty (5-2-1-1 $76.600), trained by Allinthegate

This horse here is an interesting runner because he only has one start ever on the dirt and that was in a muddy San Vicente at Santa Anita last out. All of his wins have been on the turf and he has also never routed before. He is a mystery horse and I’m not sure what he really brings to the table.

12. Born To Laff (5-1-1-1 $72.400), trained by Joshua Stables

Scratched

13. Hindenburg Tour (6-1-2-1 $33.000), trained by Nakamura Stables

And now to the runner who draws in from the also eligible because of the scratch. This horse isn’t a bad horse at all for sure. He is coming into this race off of a second place finish against allowance runners at Gulfstream. He isn’t a bad horse but he definitely has the odds against him in here.

Summary

A pretty good field here for sure and there is plenty of chances no doubt. My top pick is going to be Ranger because he has won twice over this track already and he seems like the real deal to me. He could be upset for sure though because many of these loom a serious danger. Good luck to all in the field.

2-5-10-8

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES