TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato will make $50 Win/Place bets on each Kentucky Derby prep and Triple Crown race. The handicapper with the highest bankroll after the Belmont Stakes wins. Scratches will result in the post time favorite.
GIII Robert B. Lewis S. – I Will Score got the trip I was looking for on the front end through sensible early fractions, but got reeled in late to finish a respectable third at 5-2. Total: $0.
GIII El Camino Real Derby – Was I a week too early on the lightly raced Hollendorfer runner stretching out? Let's hope so. Mr. Coker (Candy Ride {Arg}) stamped himself as one to watch with a strong second behind impressive next-out optional claiming winner and GII San Felipe S.-bound Danzing Candy in his seven-furlong debut at Santa Anita Dec. 26 (worth watching his gallop-out). He ran to the money with a 1 1/2-length graduation going 6 1/2 furlongs in Arcadia Jan. 18, and now tackles two turns and winners for the first time in this ambitious spot. Hollendorfer has won this race four times since 2006, including with Candy Ride's Chocolate Candy in '09. It's no secret that progeny of the Lane's End sire love the all-weather–see Shared Belief, Misremembered, Sidney's Candy, Twirling Candy, Dubai Sky, etc.–and Mr. Coker certainly has every right to improve. The chestnut has some pedigree to go long, too. His dam Our Khrysty (Newfoundland), a half-sister to GI Whitney H. winner Bullsbay (Tiznow), won the GIII Turnback the Alarm H. going 1 1/16 miles at Belmont. Selection: #4 Mr. Coker (9-2).
GIII Robert B. Lewis S. – Let's Meet in Rio went off at better odds than I was expecting (9-1), but he stopped badly and finished a well-beaten fifth behind his stablemate. Not the most auspicious start to this contest, but I usually take some time to warm up. On to the next one… Total: $0.
GIII El Camino Real Derby – This race obviously goes through Frank Conversation (Quality Road), who was very visually impressive beating three returning rivals in the California Derby here last month. But he got as perfect a trip as a horse can get, and that race was a huge jump up from a speed figure perspective. He can win, but from the 12 hole he's definitely worth taking a shot against. Kasseopeia (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) feels like the most intriguing alternative. He finished his British campaign with a Polytrack romp at Kempton in September (video), and gave a good account of himself when second to completely loose-on-the-lead Riker in Woodbine's GIII Grey S. The chestnut had some time off, but makes his first start for Graham Motion, who is struggling a bit at the moment, but who does exceptional work with European imports. Selection: #2 Kasseopeia (7-2).
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