The heat is on now, as Derby and Oaks prep races are in full force. This week we are looking at The Bourbonette Oaks for fillies (50 pts. to winner) and The Jeff Ruby for the boys (100 pts. to winner). Both races will be run at Turfway Park, on the synthetic surface. We will then breakdown the late P5 at Fair Grounds, which includes The Fair Grounds Oaks for fillies (100 pts. to winner) and The Louisiana Derby for the boys (100 pts. to the winner)
We will have a special guest, at a special time this Friday at 2:30 when Ed DeRosa from Horse Racing Nation will join us to deep dive on the two prep races from Turfway Park. Then be sure to tune in to our Podcast on Saturday at 12:30, when we will breakdown the Late P5 at The Fair Grounds, and update any picks after scratches and changes. You can watch on Sports Talk Media Network, as well as multiple streaming apps and social channels.
Turfway Park
Keep an eye on trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Kazushi Kimura, who are teamed up in multiple races on the card, and carry the BRISnet.com #1 Prime Power to the table in both prep races.
Race 11 5:43 EST The Bourbonette Oaks 1 1/16 Synthetic 300K
A big field of 12 runners to choose from, and we landed on the #8 Bless Her 8-1. She has the highest last race speed rating per BRISnet.com, and the switch to jockey John Velazquez tells me that trainer Graham Motion thinks he has a strong runner here. First time she stepped on synthetic…she liked it…alot. The #10 La Ville Lumiere 4-1 has been running in some high level races, and brings plenty of back class to the race. And as previously mentioned, has the #1 Prime Power rating for trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Kazushi Kimura. We don’t mind the rail runner #1 Resplendence 5-1, who is 2 for 2 at Turfway Park and could be on the lead for a long way.
Race 12 6:25 EST The Jeff Ruby 1 ⅛ Synthetic Gr2 777K
Another wide open prep…so pick your poison. We are landing on the #2 Fulleffort 7-2, where we think the switch to jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is huge. Since the switch over the synthetic, this runner has found a new dimension, and trainer Brad Cox is firing on all cylinders at the meet. The #8 Chaos Agent 10-1, just won, 1st time on synthetic and looked impressive in doing so. Jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle adds to the appeal. The BRISnet.com #1 Prime Power is the #11 Stark Contrast 5-2. We are concerned about the marooned post, but jockey Kazushi Kimura is a veteran rider who can work out a trip from out here.
Fair Grounds Derby Preps
Race 10 5:36 EST The Muniz Memorial Classic 1 ⅛ Turf Gr2 300K
Start of the Late P5 and a smallish field of 7 runners lined up. We think the class of the field is #7 Program Trading 9-5, who also possesses the BRISnet.com #1 Prime Power rating, and the best late closing pace figure. Jockey Flavian Prat has been in the saddle for all of this runners’ rides, for trainer Chad Brown. The #4 Lagynos 2-1 is a runner who fires every time, and has the highest last race speed rating in the field.
Race 11 6:08 EST The Fair Grounds Oaks 1 1/16 Dirt Gr2 400K
A field of 7 fillies lines up here for this prep race, to get to the 1st Friday in May. We don’t think you have to look further than the #5 Bella Ballerina 7-5, who just keeps getting better each time she runs. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione and trainer Brendan Walsh have a real contender here. I also like the #4 Luv Your Neighbor 7-2, who seems to like 2nd place. Her only bad race was a failed experiment on synthetic, and we think she may turn the tables today on the favorite.
Race 12 6:42 EST The Louisiana Derby 1 3/16 Dirt Gr2 1 Million
No reason to think trainer Steve Asmussen will not add to his impressive wins here at Fair Grounds with #3 Chip Honcho 3-1. In addition to his last prep being The Risen Star, it looks like he will be out front with jockey Luis Saez rationing the speed to get the distance. The one to beat for sure. If your looking for a closer to pick up the pieces, and possibly get a picture taken if a speed duel does happen, then #5 Golden Tempo 7-2 is your guy. Jockey Jose Ortiz just had this runner too wide last out, and a better trip here is in the cards. Another plus is the runner’s last prep was The Risen Star as well, (9 of last 15 winners of The Louisiana Derby; exited The Risen Star last out… 60%).
Race 13 7:18 EST MSW 1 Mile Turf 75K
This is where the sequence gets tough…really tough. If you can land the winner in these last 2 legs, you could be sitting on a nice payout. We like the #5 Good Family 8-1, with jockey Edgar Zayas jumping in the saddle for trainer Brad Cox, and the duo hits at 43% (14). Trainer Cox also hits at 31% with runners trying a route race for the 2nd time. A runner who could show speed and drew a nice post to do so, is the #3 Prima Donna 5-1. She was a little green 1st time out, and perhaps some maturity with a few good workouts behind her, will give jockey Tyler Gaffalione a little more to work with. Has by far the highest TimeformUS Early pace of 111.
Race 14 7:48 EST MSW 6 Furlongs Dirt 75K
Okay, so here is where we take a big stand, because too many arrows are pointing to the #1 Dirty Straight Up 9-5. This runner will be forwardly placed, and also has the BRISnet.com #1 Prime Power +9… even better than “just” #1 Prime Power. Has the highest last race speed rating, a 49% win figure with Equine Edge, and jockey Alex Concepcion stays up for the ride. Could see this runner being long gone when the gates open up.
Be sure to tune in Friday for our Happy Hour at a special time of 2:30 pm with special guest Ed DeRosa from Horse Racing Nationset to join us. You can tune in on Sports Talk Media Network and multiple streaming apps and social channels. And remember… “bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses can equal serious fun, and as always… Let ‘em Run !!!
