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Derby Trial Preview and Predictions
Last Kentucky Derby Prep Race
4/24/10
Citation is often cited as the greatest horse in thoroughbred racing. He won the Triple Crown with ease. The race he won before taking the Kentucky Derby was the Derby Trial. The 2010 edition of Grade 3 $200k Cliff�s Edge Derby Trial will happen this weekend just one week before the Run for the Roses. The connections of Pleasant Prince and Eightfiveinafifty plan to advance to the Run for the Roses if they can register a win. Let�s take a look at the field and their chances!
Game On Dude – The son of Awesome again is probably best suited for longer distances. He was last seen finishing in the back of the pack in the Florida Derby. He will be making his first start for hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert. Use him on the tail end of trifectas and superfectas.
Soaring Empire – This colt was the wise guy play in the Florida Derby where he finished a well beaten 8th. That was second start of the year so he probably wasn�t ready for face colts of that caliber. The distance of 1 mile will be more conducive to his running style; he is a big threat.
Privileged – The son of Southern Halo improved massively in his first start over dirt last out where he was a close 3rd in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes at odds of 35-1. He will be big odds again and could be ready to pop in his second race of the year.
Pleasant Prince – The runner up in the Florida Derby is 4-1 in this race. He is wheeling back on 2 weeks rest. It�s tough to like him because of that. I�m glad he is in the race because he will catch a lot of money and we don�t think he has much of a shot.
Hurricane Ike – Couldn�t get to a much the best Eightyfiveinafifty last out in the Bay Shore. We don�t see any reason why that would change today. Use him on the back end of trifecta and superfecta tickets.
Miner�s Reserve – The speedy son of Mineshaft broke his maiden at this distance two back, but he would thrive with more ground. Jockey Jose Lezcano picks up the mount and he is entering this race after firing a :46 B bullet. Look for this Nick Zito trainee in the stretch.
Wow Wow Wow – The only reason we could think to use this colt is the �D Wayne LUkas� factor. He wouldn�t have him here if he didn�t think he had a shot. You may want to consider using him to round out a superfecta ticket.
Hear Ye Hear Ye– This one is a toss after finishing 6th in a Florida bred turf race.
Aikenite – Oh how the mighty have fallen. This colt was on the board in two Grade 1 events at the age of two. He hasn�t been nearly as good this year. Turning back to the distance one mile might help the son of Yes It�s True, but until he shows that he �still has it� we cannot back him to win.
Eightyfiveinafifty – Here we have the 8-5 morning line favorite. This colt is a rock star. He was last seen toying with his competition by winning the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes. He is a quirky horse and he had his head turned sideways in the first part of that race, but he is just SO fast that it didn�t matter. Trainer Gary Contessa says he is far and away the fastest horse he has ever trained. They are thinking Kentucky Derby and this race is a must win if he is to get in. We think he rolls to a big victory.
WIN on EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY
EXACTA: 10/1,2,3,5
TRIFECTA: 10/1,2,3,5/1,2,3,5
SUPERFECTA:L 10/12,3,5/1,2,3,5/1,2,3,5