A full field of 14 chase for a Derby Lock in The G1 Corkscrew Stakes.

Good Morning racing fans, Owners, & trainers. It’s a bright beautiful day scheduled Saturday, the track is rated Fast,  the horses even faster, and the Bourbon is just speachless.

Getting a trip to Kentucky this week meant that I took off a couple days early, and stopped by some of the  best bourbon distilleries  in the world for a short tour and of course, some tasting.

Here are some insights to this weeks Derby Lock.

1. CALIFORNIA MAGPIES (8-1)  

CALIFORNIA CHROME X SPEIGHTSTOWN X SEATTLE SLEW

This California Chrome son has some early success racing in Allowance races. Ungraded stakes races he has hit the board, but think this horse needs 7-7.5F to play with these Graded stakes boys. Can’t get past that I think this horse is going to be a bit short for air at the wire. This is horse racing however, so there’s always a race, and his breeding obviously shouts Dirt Routes. It’ll be good experience for him, and being a fan of Chrome, I’m hoping I’m wrong. Nice colt, but not my choice.

2. CHARMING FAIRY (22-1)

THE ASSAYER (SAF) X ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) X DEPUTY MINISTER

I’m sure this roan colt gave his owner a welcome shock when he went from a 66 SP in it’s original Maiden race to an 89 SP in it’s 2nd start. He’s hitting 96 after just 5 starts, but think more distance than his last start out is the key, still chasing them down at 8.5F. This could be a huge Payday for someone with a few extra bucks to Key him with some stronger horses. Live Longshot in this field!

3. TELAH (5-1)

WAR FRONT X DYNAFORMER X SEEKING THE GOLD

This bright eyed War Front colthas some really nice races under his belt already, having a win in a G3 as a 2YO, and minor placings in G2,& G3 as a 3YO. His record and past performances show as a big potential for this 9F, and owner/trainer SAVER  has this horse primed nicely for this Derby Lock. Definitely Favorite, and will be 1 of my keyed horses in superfectas. 

4. THE GLAIVE (7-1)

ARROGATE X BERNARDINI X STREET CRY

I could spend hours just on the breeding and bloodlines of this grey Arrogate son. Now that I’m done salivating over my rough copy, his last 2 races werewins, 97SP & 106 SP, and at 9.5 F could beat this group. but at 9F, I think he’s still chasing them at the wire. Still think he’s good enough to put in bottom half of superfectas.  Nice Job with this horse so far to THEOC2.

5. HUMEROUS (15-1)

DISTORTED HUMOR X A.P. INDY X AWESOME AGAIN

Fine looking Distorted Humor colt here, may be a future G! winner even, but believe the 9F to be too far, and would be better placed in a 7-8 F regular stakes race, where he can mature. Can’t get by that he just doesn’t look comfortable racing with this crowd at this distance. I’ve been wrong before! Not in my picks.

6. SEATTLE STORM GATE (8-1)

ARROGATE X STORM CAT X SEATTLE SLEW

DDKSTABLES25 is sitting pretty with this grey Arrogate colt. Having a 2nd in his last trip out in the G@ Sleepy Fan Stakes, and still chasing at the wire,  probably struck this trainer/breeder/owner’s fancy, lining him right up with this Derby Lock. Another 1 that will be in my superfectas. Great Breeding and Bloodlines galore here, He’s tuned in!

7. BELLMAN (19-1)

LOPE DE VEGA X WAR FRONT X STREET CRY

With some early allowance race success, being in this trainer’s spot, I’d probablygive this colt a shot as well, this is horse racing, and anything can happen, and sometimes does. This Colt could really use 1 more race before this, with that being said, I think if he can find another gear here, he’s an outsider looking to rob this class field.

8. K’S GOLDEN BOY (10-1)

MEDAGLIA D’ORO X SEEKING THE GOLD X NIJINSKY 2ND

With an ITM of 5/6 in his early career, this almost white colt has a double 101SP  in it’s last 2 races, and hasn’t dropped. below previous race, telling me he has more to mature towards. He has a nice chance here to be in the mix, and would be worthy of anyone’s $2 for a decent return. Thinking if he’s in my Superfe3cta’s, but he’s 1 to watch my Superfecta tickets go bad here, or play a complete 2nd set.

9. SPOILING IT ALL(11-1)

TAPIT X SEATTLE SLEW X ALYDAR

Another fine grey colt with some early success at non graded stakes. Could be a shocker if he steps up here. By the looks of his last race out says (f could very well be the key here. Will be in the bottom half of my superfecta bets.. Great breeding here once again, there  are a ton of Tapit x Slew  combinations that have made some nice Graded winners.

10. BLIZZACK (9-1)

CAIRO PRINCE X CANDY RIDE X NIJINSKY 2ND

This colt is racing really well lately, hitting $250K in earnings in just 8 races. The downside is that in my opion, he needs 8F to fulfill his full potential. Nice horse but it would surprise me to see him still chasing at 9 F.

11. ZOR EL(10-1)

CURLIN X STREET CRY X STORM CAT

WAREMBLEM5 has this young Curlin colt primed and ready for this Derby lock. I watched this colt race in the G2 Felipe Alou Stakes, and didn’t pick him, and was crying because I didn’t. I thought he needed a huge jump that day, and he got it. This horse not only proved me wrong, but made me a fan. All kinds of bloodlines that say this horse fits here, and with a well known trainer in waremblem5, think he’s a hot 10-1 shot here. This will be my $20wps bet on Saturday in this Derby Lock. The horse that beat him previously is in the California Derby (SNIPER’S VIEW)

12. LAWBIRDY (12-1)

BIRDRUN X SUMMER SQUALL X LAW SOCIETY

This Birdrun colt is in form for this race showing a 101 SP in his last outing in a stakes race, and could very well play a spoiler here under the right front end speed. I’m not awfully excited about the bloodlines here, which is why he’s off my superfecta tickets completely, but this 1 I’ll watch play spoiler again. Could be a great show bet for someone’s $2.

13. SIMPLY GOLDEN (15-1)

TAPIT X MEDAGLIA D’ORO X FORTY NINER

Early allowance races and ungraded stakes success for this grey beauty by Tapit. Again, if ya got something good, why not try right? SPs in last 2 could be off a bit, being on an off track, but did the off  tracks help this colt, or hinder him? My personal thought is that it hindered him, and that being said, could make this 1 a nice longshot bet.

JOY OF STARGAZING (8-1)

SEA THE STARS X KITTEN’S JOY X SAINT BALLADO

At 1st sight, I was wondering why would he put this… and then it came to me, Even a minor placing here, could put him in the Derby as a 3rd tier. I think he’s primed for a bit longer distance, but with lots of cash for minor placings, and having an outside shot at the Derby, why not?  I think this horse can pick up a cheque here, and will definitely be on the bottom of my superfecta tickets.

MY WAGERS

$20WPS #11  ZOR EL

$0.40 SUPERFECTAS   3, 6, 11/ 3, 6, 11/ 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14/3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TRAINERS AND TO THE WINNER, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ON MAY 4TH!!!  (JEDI HUMOR)