Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist - April 3

Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist
Saturday, April 3, 2021

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1)

8th race –Bob Baffert lost the prohibitive favorite for this race when Life Is Good suffered a hind-end injury but he still has the horse to beat in (7) Medina Spirit who has two wins and two seconds in four career starts and only Life Is Good has finished in front of him. It’s a big field but he’s the standout among them. (2) Dream Shake was third in his stakes debut, just 2 ¼ lengths behind Medina Spirit, and should benefit from that try and emerge as the main threat. (10) Defunded is also trained by Baffert and seems out of place off a lone win at six furlongs, but with Baffert and Mike Smith teaming, he merits close attention. (8) Law Professor won sharply at a mile to break his maiden and has the look of a 3-year-old who may getting good at the right time. Betting strategy: 7  to win, place. Exacta and trifecta box: 2-7-8-10.