Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlist - June 6

Keeneland Select  Derby prep race picks

Saturday, June 6, 2020

By Bob Ehalt and Matt Shifman

The $400,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita Park

8th race – (6) Honor A. P. is expected to show his best in this Kentucky Derby points race. Trainer John Shirreffs got extra time to be patient with this highly touted son of Honor Code and gave the horse a combination of endurance building seven-furlong works and more recently fast five-furlong breezes to provide speed. He appears to be ready to turn the tables on Authentic who beat him in the San Felipe (G2) back in March. (7) Authentic has not raced since he defeated Honor A. P. in the San Felipe. The Bob Baffert runner is likely to try and head to an early lead as he did in his two stakes victories but may face some pressure from Shooters Shoot. He puts his perfect three race record on the line as he stretches out to nine-furlongs. (5) Azul Coast is the other Baffert runner in this field of seven. He was last seen winning the El Camino Real Derby on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields back in February. His late running style gives him a good chance of getting into the trifecta. (2) Rushie is improving for trainer Michael McCarthy with an allowance victory at Oaklawn Park in April. He should sit off the pace with leading rider Flavian Prat on board. Betting strategy: 6 to win. Exactas: 6 with 2, 5, 7. Trifecta part-wheel: 6 with 2, 5, 7 with ALL.