Fair Grounds plays host to one of the two derbies on Saturday, the Louisiana Derby (G2). This is where we finally get to see if the son of War Pass truly is "Revolutionary". He is coming off one of the most impressive come from behind victories this year in the Withers (G3) at the beginning of February and is running outside the state of New York for the first time in his career. Revolutionary will have to step up to the competition if he wants to book a trip to Louisville. With currently only 10 points attached to his name anything other than a 1-2 finish will have this promising colt on the outside looking in. Two others that will take the majority of the money are the 2-3 finishers in the Risen Star (G2), Baffert's Code West and Pletcher's other entry, Palace Malace. Undefeated Departing steps up to graded stakes company out of Al Stall's barn and could be in the mix.
Gulfstream Park showcases the Florida Derby (G1). Itsmyluckyday sure better hope that is the case on Saturday as he is another top three-year-old that must run 1-2 or he might be sitting out this year's Derby. Two-year-old champ Shanghai Bobby looks to redeem himself after being passed in the stretch by Lucky last time out in the Holy Bull (G3). Stretching out in distance certainly does not bode well for Bobby who already has 24 points but needs to hit the board here if he wants to claim a spot in the Derby. Orb, winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2) last month already has the points needed to run in May and is just trying to build some confidence in his last prep before Churchill. Just like I tabbed Lucky as the wildcard in the Holy Bull, I am going to throw Are You Kidding Me into the pool of contenders here as he makes his first start on the dirt. If you like maiden winners jumping straight to graded stakes then you can't dismiss Dale Roman's Pick of the Litter, who is coming off an impressive 7 1/2-length victory at the distance over the track.
Flashy Gray makes her second try around two turns in the Fair Ground Oaks (G2) and faces off against the undefeated Unlimited Budget. In the Gulfstream Oaks (G2) Live Lively, Dreaming of Julia and Emollient will battle it out as they gear up for the Oaks.
Louisiana Derby (G2)
3/30 Fair Grounds 6:44 EST
3/30 Fair Grounds 6:44 EST
Three-Year-Olds, 1 1/8m
Revolutionary 3-1
Watch the Withers and you will see why this colt is in my number one spot in the rankings. Will take his talent to another state and prove that he belongs in the field of 20. If he can emerge from this full 14-horse field, then not only will it prove he can overcome his traffic issues but also it will also give him a sample size of what the Derby will be like for him here in a month. It certainly would be nice to get him at 3-1 odds at the window.
Code West 9-2
It looked like he was finished in the stretch last time but found another gear and fought back to lose out only by a nose. Look for him to place behind Revolutionary and grab enough points for a spot in the Derby.
Palace Malace 5-1
Everytime you turn around there is another promising Pletcher colt looming. There are many that like him to pull off the upset Saturday but he had the best trip of the top four in the Risen Star and fell back to third. One that should hit the board but there are two others in here that are just plain better.
Departing 8-1
Sleeper that could upset if he handles the step up in class. He is undefeated but the big question is who has he beaten.
Florida Derby (G1)
3/30 Gulfstream Park 6:19 EST
3/30 Gulfstream Park 6:19 EST
Three-Year-Olds, 1 1/8m
Itsmyluckyday 2-1
Posted the top BRIS Speed rating of his class in the last race. Is it Gulfstream or did he just mature that much from 2 to 3? Doesn't really matter as he returns for his third start over the track. In a class above the rest based on his figures. After tabbing him as wildcard in the Holy Bull and not betting him, I definitely won't be taking a stand against him this time.
Orb 3-1
Another three-year-old that drastically improved from one start to the next. The Fountain of Youth winner likes to come from behind and has already won at the 1 1/8 mile distance. If he can keep Lucky within striking distance has a shot to pull off the upset.
Shanghai Bobby 5-2
I really like this guy as he has shown that he's got heart but the added distance looks to be an issue. Unless he can come from off the pace there is no way he will be wiring the field here.
Are You Kidding Me 15-1
Turf horse that is trying the dirt for the first time. Will be coming from off the pace and you just never know how these three-year-olds will take to a new surface. Will either hit the board or be a bust and head back to the turf.
*Last time had Hear the Ghost to upset in the San Felipe which he pulled off. Hit the exacta and trifecta as I had longshot Tiz a Minister hitting the board. Also, had Verrazano pegged to win the Tampa Bay Derby, but who didn't, right?
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