Wood & SA Derby Day

A major prep weekend for the derby.

AQU: Race 7: Going to try to get past entry since they will be a short price. Also find it odd Contessa sends two speed balls into this including the big number but confused 85ina50. I can see them flying up front and leaving the perfect stalking trip for Raynick's Jet, the pick. Also intrigued by Cali shipper "Hurricane Ike."

Most Likely: #2 Raynick's Jet (3-1 ML) -4th
Best Value: #4 Hurricane Ike (7-2) - 2nd
Next Best: #1 Entry (4-5) - WON

AQU Race 8: I don't have a strong opinion as many seem capable.

Most Likely: #3 Nite Lite (2-1) - 2nd
Next Best: #1 Senior's Pride (5-1) - 3rd
Best Value: #5 More than a Reason (6-1) - 4th

AQU Race 9: The Wood. While it's a short field with 6 runners, their are four very promising 3 Y/Olds all looking for a chance on Derby Day. One of them will likely get left out. Eskendereya, potential derby favorite and heavy favorite today, destroyed a good field in the FOY and will be tough to beat if he runs that race again. Schoolyard Dreams had a gutsy performace in the Tampa Derby put didn't improve much in that over his previous race. Needs to place to earn his trip to Kentucky so will should leave it all on the track. Awesome Act is the only one who is set for the derby with a nice Gothom win last month, solid contender. Jackson Bend is sitting on a big one and needs it, only a top 2 finish today will let him advance. My opinion is that Eskendereya is either something very special and wins this race with ease, or freaked last out and regresses today. A short price on him will force me into trying to beat him in this race but can't exclude on the PK4.

Most Likely: #5 Jackson Bend (4-1) - 2nd
Next Best: #2 Awesome Act (9-2) - 3rd
Best Value: #4 Schoolyard Dreams (5-1)
PK4 must include: #3 Eskendereya (4-5) - WON

AQU Race 10: Fun sprint to close out the PK4 - Munnings (4-5) & Musket Man (5-2) are the favorites on the ML but many have a chance on paper. I like Warrior's Rewards training pattern and think he will be big contender in this. I think pace will be sharp and he will pass them all turning for home.

Most Likely: #2 Warrior Reward (9-2) - WON
Next Best: #4 Musket Man (3-1) - 2nd
BestValue: #1 Digger/Entry (8-1)
PK4 must include: #5 Munnings (4-5) - 3rd

PK4: Leg 1: 2,4 w/ 1,3,5 w/ 2,3,5 w/1,2,4,5 = 2x3x3x4 = $72


Santa Anita Derby:

Most Likely: #7 Looking @ Lucky (4-5) - 3rd
Next Best: #4 Sidney's Candy (3-1) - WON
Best Value: #10 Alphie Bet (8-1)
Super Suprise: #9 Skipshot (15-1)

Exacta Bx: 4, 9, 10
Tri 7 w/ 4,9,10 w/ 4,9,10
Tri 4,9,10 w/ 7 w/ 4,9,10