Classic Car Wash
The first of two from trainer Mark Casse, this Noble Bird gelding ran a solid race last time to nose out Classic Legacy for third in the Sam F. Davis. A similar effort here puts him in the picture, especially if he can come with another strong rally.
Having said that, I only like him as third best of the horses coming out of the local prep, as Groveland really had some trouble and Classic Legacy should move forward off the effort.
Having won his previous two starts, though, he still should be considered one of the biggest challengers to the top pick.
Shesterkin
This son of Violence impressed in his career debut two starts back. In fact, the debut performance was liked enough that he actually started favorite over stablemate Tapit Trice last time in the Gulfstream Park allowance race.
He prompted the pace, but was no match for his stablemate, finishing a well-beaten second. He’ll add blinkers this time which should only help his early speed and he is likely to improve off the experience.
Perhaps if there was less early speed here, I would like him more, but the Pletcher-trained runner is still a threat on potential.
Lord Miles
The first of two from trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., this son of Curlin will get blinkers off after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull last time out.
That was only his third-lifetime start, so he is eligible to improve. Before that he had run two nice races to easily break his maiden and then rally strongly to just miss in the Mucho Macho Man.
With plenty of speed in the field, this could set up for his late rally. Likely to have attractive odds on Saturday, I believe he is a real threat to make his way into the exotics.
Champions Dream
A graded stakes winning son of the Triple Crown winner Justify, he was one of the favorites in the Sam F. Davis, but folded his tent up quickly that afternoon and was eased down the stretch.
Coming off that last-place finish, it’s difficult to pick him out here, but looking at previous races, we know he is better than that performance.
Having said that, in a race with plenty of speed types, this does not look like a race that sets up for him very well. The Mark Casse-trained runner could certainly run much better here, but I still prefer others.
Prairie Hawk
This son of Curlin won two straight at Tampa Bay Downs in maiden and allowance company before running a disappointing ninth in the Sam F. Davis.
To his credit, his connections are willing to give him another shot here, but he will clearly need to do much better to have any chance on Saturday.
He did have some trouble at the break, so there is hope he can bounce back, but even an improved effort will likely fall short in this Kentucky Derby prep.
Zydeceaux
The winner of the local Pasco Stakes, this son of Cajun Breeze brings plenty of speed to the table for Saturday’s $400,000 test.
In his first try around two turns, he set the early pace in the Sam F. Davis and held pretty well to be beaten only 3 1/4 lengths. This race only looks tougher, though.
He will likely need to work hard early to get the forward position from the 11-post, and even if he can do that, there is likely to be plenty of company on the early pace. Speed is always dangerous, but this does not look like the spot for him.
Dreaming of Kona
A gray son of Fast Anna, this one was another who was in the Sam F. Davis. Bumped at the start, he backed out pretty early at odds of 16/1 and finished seventh.
Perhaps with a better start on Saturday, he will fare better here, but with plenty of other speed in the race, he looks to have his work cut out for him.
There were some pretty solid performances before the disappointment of the last, but still he looks like little more than a pace factor in the Tampa Bay Derby.
Freedom Road
Although his pedigree suggests that he would have no problem running longer, this son of Malibu Moon has done best when sprinting so far in his career. His two attempts at a mile were both in stakes races and he did not fare well in either.
He does come in off a sharp allowance victory over the track seven weeks ago, but it came against far lesser competition than he will see here.
Perhaps the son of Malibu Moon is turning a corner in his career, but there are just too many others that I prefer to be excited about his chances.
Mikey Bananas
Making his first start around two turns last time, this son of Constitution showed some improvement in a local allowance race to finish second behind the highly regarded Kingsbarns.
Having said that, his rally fell nearly eight lengths short of the winner at the wire four weeks ago for trainer Timothy Hamm.
A winner of only one race in seven career starts, he looks like a deserving longshot on Saturday as he makes his graded stakes debut.
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1678368349/tampa-bay-derby.jpg "tampa-bay-derby")
/1666344415/brian-zipse.png "Brian zipse")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
