France hosts three year olds in the Grade I Green Monkey

The feature for this weekend in France is the Grade I The Green Monkey Derby, to be run at a mile and one sixteenth over the fast dirt in Paris. Fourteen three year old colts will be looking for a spot in the Triple Crown races.

1. BALDO HOLLANDIA (10-2-2-2) – This horse ran his best race so far with a second place finish in the Grade II Louisiana Derby, at 10-1 odds. He is clearly on the improving side, working superbly in the morning and no question he can score at 9-1 odds.
2. ROMAN CONQUEST (7-3-2-0) – Talented royally bred colt, already a minor stakes winner. Should be close to the pace from the gitgo, nice post on the gate and definitely one of the top horses in this field.
3. DESTINY DANCE (10-2-0-3) – This colt has been soundly beaten repeatedly when facing graded company. We can not guess he will do anything differently in this event, so we will look elsewhere.
4. IMPALER (8-2-1-3) – Pretty talented horse, but seems to be overmatched against this tough field. He needs to improve on his best effort so far to have a chance here.
5. LOCKITINEDDIE (6-3-2-0) – Graded winner and he dictated the pace in the Florida Derby before rendering the lead deep in the stretch. He is the speed of the speed and should be in sharp form for this event. The pick.
6. HAIL CESARIO (8-5-0-0) – Graded winner over the grass at two. He was undefeated as a two year old, but his three year old campaign has been way too disappointing. Looks to revive with a switch on surface and can be a nice surprise.
7. THE IRONIST (9-4-0-1) – This is a very honest horse, but so far has not demonstrated he belongs in graded stakes company. Needs to improve for having a chance. Can be dangerous with an off track.
8. TALE OF AUROR (12-5-3-1) – Had a nice two year old campaign, but so far no wins as a sophomore. He will be part of the first flight, but he needs to recover his form from last year for him to stand a chance in this event.
9. CLAN OF THE CAT (8-3-0-2) – Dull effort on the Louisiana Derby, in which he had some followers at 7-1. If we throw away that race, he is one of the top horses in this field. Will be flying late in the stretch and is a force to be reckoned with.
10. CRAFTY CYCLONE (12-4-2-2) – Nice score in his last race, a minor stakes. So far his SFs do not tell he can win against these horses, but he is improving and we can not be shocked with a good performance from him.
11. SALUTATIONS (10-2-0-3) – Another colt which is slowly showing better form, although so far he has been overmatched in graded company. Needs to step up in his SFs, but can not discard him completely.
12. BELMONT BOMB (17-3-1-2) – Horse that has been defeated repeatedly by these same horses he is facing again, with very weak SFs for this group, so we can not recommend.
13. UNAMAZINGNESS (7-3-1-2) – Winner of the Grade II Felipe Alou Cap over an off track, coming from way behind. Fresh horse and he is already a multiple graded winner, showing he is coming off age at the right time. Very interesting horse at the 11-1 odds. The upset pick.
14. SAN PELLEGRINO (10-2-5-1) – Failed miserably as the favorite in his last race. He gets a nice four weeks rest and cuts back in distance, and if he has recovered from that last race, can be a nice upset.

The picks: Lockitineddie, Unamazingness, Clan of the Cat.

Good Luck to all!!