Steve Sherack & Brian DiDonato will make $100 win/place bets on 20 Kentucky Derby preps. The handicapper with the highest total at the end wins.
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SS: Last Week: Always nice to kick things off with a win (how impressive was Far From Over (+$930) after that trouble at the start in the Withers?)… Rock Shandy sat a great trip at 6-1, but was no match for the Lewis top two, who put on an absolute show in a thrilling stretch battle for the second straight race. Current Total: $930.
GIII El Camino Real Derby – Metaboss looks like a very promising runner since stretching to two turns and should offer plenty of value for the always dangerous Jeff Bonde barn in this wide-open affair. Second-best behind the very promising Bolo over the Del Mar lawn Nov. 29, the chestnut couldn't have been more impressive in his maiden win going nine furlongs over the Santa Anita grass Jan. 4. Favored at 4-5, he really exploded down the lane–covered his final eighth in :11.47–to impressively reel in a horse with a clear lead while still racing a bit green. Not thrilled that the runner-up has already resurfaced with a very disappointing effort as the favorite next out, but Metaboss still has enough upside that if he handles the transition to the all-weather to be a major player at a square number. Indianaughty, drawn one to his inside, looks like the main danger off an impressive maiden win over the Lingfield all-weather and a game tally on the Gulfstream lawn in his first attempt for Team Valor. Willing to take a stand against the two outside horses–Conquest Typhoon and Mischief Clem–who figure to take plenty of support at the windows. Selection: #3 Metaboss (8-1).
BD: Last Week: It was a pretty terrible start for Far From Over (+$930) in the Withers, but became a great start to this contest for both of us as the Pletcher trainee rallied impressively to score at 6-1. Dortmund (+$280) wasn't any kind of price–and will probably never be at any point in his career–but provided a bit more profit as he clawed back the victory from Firing Line. Current Total: $1210.
GIII El Camino Real Derby – I've always found this to be a tricky race, and this year seems to be no exception. There are plenty of ways to go and the field appears to be very well-matched. Metaboss enters off just a maiden win, but seems like he might have talent and will offer some value. The Jeff Bonde pupil has never run a particularly bad race–his only off-the-board effort was a fourth sprinting on the dirt behind subsequent GIII Delta Jackpot winner Ocho Ocho Ocho–and he's taken a step forward since stretching out in his last two. The chestnut was second behind the talented Bolo at Del Mar Nov. 29, and was subsequently flattered when that runner returned to easily defeat fellow El Camino Real Derby entrant Soul Driver in the Eddie Logan S. Metaboss looked particularly good last time going this distance over the Santa Anita sod Jan. 4. He flew home, and really relished that final furlong. Admittedly, the runners from that heat to return have been disappointing, but that nine-furlong experience could prove an advantage–plus the colt's dam and half brother both won at the distance. Selection: #3 Metaboss (8-1).
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