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The Derby Road Goes to DMR for HOL Derby

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12/3/22

  12   DMR    HOL Derby (GI)

        $400.000      3YO      1 1/8m Turf    122lbs

Left coast and to the surf/turf thingy, and the never ending slew of Derbys continues with the HOL Derby (GI), a mile and an eighth test over the DMR lawn.  I’m calling on Americas Hope to turn the tables today.  He was fifth in the BC Turf (GI), and the winner is in here, but the wet sod may have hindered this one.  I think he’s a horse sitting on a big win and today could be his day.  Speaking of that BC Turf (GI) winner, let’s give Mickey another shot to keep his big year going.  Five wins, but none bigger than that BC Day triumph.  Does the hangover bite him or does he run through that superstitious wall? 

Here’s The Field –

1
   Living In The Matrix    TwinTowersRacing    Davis D   122   12/1

One win this season, taking down Alw types at LAD, and has struggled vs. stakes types.  It doesn’t get any easier here, and the distance increases, so he’s going to need his best if he want to cash a check today. 

2
   Mr Insurrection    Big Guns Stables    Wenc I C   122   10/1

Hasn’t had his picture taken since winning the Patterson at TUP, back in Apr, but does have a pair of runner-up efforts since changing hands three races back.  The bad news is the off the board finish was his only stakes start for this owner, so he needs to find some magic. 

3
   Keeper Of Time    Smokey Stover    Rocco J S Jr   122   5/1

Hasn’t won since taking the Audubon at CD back in June, but he has three nice runner-up efforts in the BEL Derby (GI), the VA Derby (GIII) and the Henry Championship (GII).  He was seventh on BC Day, but I don’t thing the wet surface played to his favor, and I think he will come back big today… unless it rains. 

4
   Mickey    South Shore Stables    Gutierrez Mario   122   7/5

He’s having a great year, and that win the BC Turf (GI) was certainly the icing on the cake, and will make him the favorite here today as well.  Does he get the BC Hangover and can he keep the hot hand going an knock down another big race?

5
   Crazy Ivan    Mb Stables    Garcia Mar   122   5/1

Three wins this season including the La Jolla (GIII) over this track, and has been third in his last pair, after that win.  He seems to like this course, and I’m a firm believer in home cookin’ so give him a chance in there. 

6
   Americas Hope    Nakamura Stables    Crawford J   122   7/2

Another with a three win season, and looked good taking the JC Derby (GIII), only to follow that up with a fifth in the BC Turf (GI).  That was his first start on a soggy sod, so maybe he has an excuse and can bring it home here. 

7
   Simply Magic    Winning Link Stables    Maldonado E   122   8/1

Only a maiden win to show for his ten trip to the starting gate, but had a third in the Henry Championship (GII) and just missed when second in the Hill Prince (GII) only to run a dull race and beat on in the BC Turf (GI).  Again, wet sod may not be his friend, so he will want the firm going. 

8
   Miami My Amy    Mb Stables    Espinoza V   122   7/1

The big barn plunked down a pretty penny to secure this one, then brought him back on short rest to be fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile (GI) at KEE.  He has a graded win and has been close in a number of other graded races of late, so he could get big today. 

9
   Elite Fire    High Voltage    Rispoli U   122   5/1

You can’t ignore a horse with four wins, and add in that he won the Saranac (GIII) at SAR, then just missed last out in the Twilling (GII).  He loves the sod, and could be overlooked today.. not by me, but…. 

COZMAN   6 / 4            Willie’s Green Card      8 / 3          

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