GIII – LA Derby

$200.000 Graded Stake 1 1/8th on Dirt for Three Year Olds

2016 Champ: Tiger Town/Spring Lover

The historic HOL Derby has lost some of it’s luster over the years after moving to LA, dropping in purse money and now moving from a GII to a GIII. The 2017 version has attracted a six horse field of three year olds.

1- Range Of The Sun (Trained by Team 7 Illusions, Ridden by Elliott S)

Slipping into the inside gate will be Range Of The Sun. He is coming into the LA Derby off an impressive win in the GIII Affirmed last time out. He has three career wins in six starts and is three for three in the state of California. He will try and sit just off the lead in the early going and make his move down the stretch.

2- The Hand Youre Dealt (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Stevens G L)

The Hand Youre Dealt will be the likely pace setter in the race. He has shown a liking to having the lead in his last few starts and will likely do the same again. He has tried graded stake company twice this year and has not been able to get it done yet. Has a good shot at hitting the board but wont likely get the job done in against these.

3- Forestry (Trained by D J C Racing Stables, Ridden by Garcia Mar)

This three year old son of Charley Farley is coming off a win in the $100.000 Sir Barton. That day the connections skipped over the Preakness for the easier spot and it worked perfectly. He has a ton of experience in big races already in his young career but hasn’t been able to fully put it together, at the same time is never too far off being a top contender. The connections are hoping for a third career win in this race after winning it in back to back years, 2014 and 2015.

4- Withdrawn (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Talamo J)

After being the pace setter for much of the Prk back in May the connections of Withdrawn gave their colt a bit of a break and is now back and ready for action. This will be the first time running at this mile and an eighth distance since winning the “other” LA Derby back in April. The distance seems to be right in his wheel house and should be just what he needs to get back in the winners circle.

5- Fat Lady (Trained by Hambletonian Stable, Ridden by Flores D R)

Every owner in horse racing loves consistency, especially when it comes to hitting the board and no one is more consistent then Fat Lady. He has run in sixteen career races and been in the top three all sixteen times. This three year old gelding has slowly worked himself up the ranks and the LA Derby will be his toughest competition as of yet.

6- Rush Henrietta (Trained by Tiratzo, Ridden by Maldonado E)

An interesting entry in the LA Derby is Rush Henrietta. He hasn’t been able to do too much in the afternoons yet with only a GG maiden win to his credit so far. On the flip side he is a speedster in the mornings. His most recent work on July 8th is the ninth fastest work at a mile for three year olds for 2017 so the speed is there, just needs to get it together at race time now.

My Selections: 4/5/2

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES