By Brian DiDonato
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert seems to have a knack for drawing the rail in big spots, but might have gotten particularly unlucky when post positions were assigned for Saturday's GII West Virginia Derby. The Mountaineer Park main track has a notoriously strong outside bias, and Baffert's charge–3-1 morning line favorite Cupid (Tapit)–will carry the dreaded red saddle cloth. An impressive front-running winner of the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn in March, Cupid turned in a clunker at odds-on in that venue's GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 16, and subsequently underwent surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. He never looked happy when brought back in the Easy Goer S. on the GI Belmont S. undercard June 11, and finished last of five behind the re-opposing Economic Model (Flatter). Cupid's connections kept the faith and sent him to the July 16 GII Indiana Derby, and he responded with a game 3/4-length triumph over well-regarded The Player (Street Hero) to get back on track.
Economic Model, meanwhile, returned to finish second as the favorite in Big Sandy's one-mile GIII Dwyer S. July 9. He'll wear blinkers for the first time.
Deep closer Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) took the GIII Southwest S. before finishing fifth in the Rebel and second in the Arkansas Derby. He flew home to be fifth in the Derby, but struggled home ninth in the Belmont. Forevamo was second in the Risen Star and fifth in the Louisiana Derby. He completed the exacta in the GIII Pat Day Mile on the Derby undercard, and returned to winning ways with an optional claiming score under the Twin Spires over Pinson (Majestic Warrior) June 26. Mo Tom (Uncle Mo), who would've likely been the second betting choice, is expected to scratch and wait for the GI Travers S. later this month.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
