Week 3 of the Derby Championship series brings us back out to Santa Anita for 3 races. We’ve got two prep races scheduled this weekend, and we’ll see the return of many of last years stars in the Gulf Stream Park Handicap and Santa Anita handicap. This segment of the Pick 6 Challenge will follow the first and second legs of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. The first race weekend will feature the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth on Saturday February 22, 2014. It will conclude 8 weeks later with the Arkansas Derby and Bluegrass Stakes on Saturday April 12.
Race 1: The Florida Oaks.
First off we head to Tampa Bay for the Florida Oaks and potentially our largest field of the day. There’s a lot of good horses stuck with outside posts in this race, including Miss Besilu (2-1-0 in his last 3), and Testa Rossi (4-2-0 lifetime). Kitten Kaboodle and Interrupted are looking sharp with posts 1 and 2, but are both coming off a more than 4 month layoff. Are they ready to run?
Race 2: San Felipe Stakes.
Race 2 sees our first race from out west, and the first of 2 derby prep races. Bayern is looking incredible on paper, but so did Flashback and Goldencents last year, only to be upset by Hear the Ghost. Kristo has finished 1st or 2nd in all 4 starts, and Californai Chrome is all over the place. Midnight Hawk has ridiculous jockey win % and trainer %, but failed as the favorite last time out. You gotta believe Bob Baffert knows California though…
Race 3: The Gulfstream Park Handicap.
The Gulfstream Park Handicap gives us a look at some of last year’s derby horses. I’m a huge fan of Palace Malice, but honestly both Goldencents and Palace Malice haven’t shown that much on the track lately. Itsmyluckyday is making a return after pulling up last year at the Pegasus G3, will he return to the form that saw him post tremendous dirt speed figures? Will you be drawn in by the big names, or look towards the return of Itsmyluckyday, or the rising speed of Falling Sky?
Race 4: The Tampa Bay Derby.
The second Derby prep, the Tampa bay Derby kicks off at 5:25pm and sees a couple good horses with outside posts (East Hall and Hy Kodiak Warrior). Can they overcome those posts? Can Ring Weekend ride the rail post to a win? Its winning at a 21% rate! Mr. Pletcher has thrown Vincermos in the mix as well. Should be a great race!
Race 5: The Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes.
The last two races of the day have us back to Santa Anita for the Frank E Kilroe Miles Stakes. Gio Ponte is a former winner, but today we see Optimizer, Za Approval contesting for the prize this year. Silentio, Lochte, and Winning Prize are all coming off wins their last start. Suggestive Boy will try to repeat after besting both Silentio and Fed Biz in the 2013 running.
Race 6: The Santa Anita Handicap.
We cap the night off with the Santa Anita handicap. What a lineup, I hope you saved a few picks because I don’t know how you can’;t include Will Take Charge, Mucho Macho man, and Game On Dude on your Team. Hear the Ghost has never finished off the board, but makes a switch from Corey Nakatani to Joel Rosario. Rosario was unbeatable last year at Saratoga last year until he broke his foot the day before the Travers Stakes (won by Will Take Charge).
Good luck this weekend handicappers, and when in doubt, go with a “cat” horse, or phone Cornelio.