Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlists - April 9

Keeneland Select Derby Prep Hotlists

Saturday, April 9, 2022

By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Keeneland, Race 9

9th race – (4) Zandon had a rough trip when third in the Risen Star to start his 3-year-old campaign. With a smooth trip here, he should be able to reach the winner’s circle. (10) Smile Happy rallied for second in the Risen Star but had a better trip than the top pick and must overcome a difficult post here. (1) Commandperformance may be a maiden but he was second in the Grade 1 Champagne and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He should be able to make his presence felt from the rail. (8) Ethereal Road could make things interesting in the final furlong. Betting strategy: 4 to win, place. Exacta and trifecta box: 1-4-8-10.

The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2), Aqueduct – race 8

The Wood Memorial (G2) drew a field of eight 3-year-olds including three unbeaten horses that will vie for a purse of $750,000 and a share of the Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 to the top four finishers.

(3) Early Voting (A) won both of his races in a career that began in December with a maiden special weight at Aqueduct going a mile. He then stepped up to win the Withers (G3) on the  Kentucky Derby trail by more than four-lengths while defeating Un Ojo who went on to win the Rebel (G2) Oaklawn Park. Trainer Chad Brown left Early Voting to train in New York with an eye on the Wood Memorial. (5) Morello won all three of his races at Aqueduct for trainer Steve Asmussen. Morello moved from a maiden win to the Jimmy Winkfield and then the Gotham, winning each by open-lengths with a significant increase in speed figures each time. He increased in distance each race finally going a mile in the Gotham. (1) Mo Donegal is also a winner at the Big A when he took down the Remsen (G2) in December. In his 2022 debut he was a late rallying third in the Holy Bull (G3) behind White Abarrio and Simplification who both won their next starts on the Derby trail. (7) A. P.’s Secret had his heels clipped in the Fountain of Youth (G2) when he was in third-place with a chance to win and then lost all of his momentum. Betting strategy:  Exacta box: 1, 3, 5, 7. Trifecta box: 1, 3, 5, 7.

The $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita – race 6

The Santa Anita Derby (G1) drew a field of six including the two best 3-year-olds in the west that will vie for a purse of $750,000 and a share of the Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 to the top four finishers.

(3) Forbidden Kingdom was the very fast front-end winner of his two starts this year in the San Vicente (G2) and then the San Felipe (G2) as he stretched out from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. The Richard Mandella runner seems to be much more relaxed this year when allowed to settle on the lead. (4) Messier was moved to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen to try and qualify for the Kentucky Derby. His 15-length victory in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) back in February overwhelmed an uncompetitive field. The two-month layoff may be of concern when you try and choose between the top two. (5) Win the Day moved from turf to dirt and broke his maiden by more than five-lengths for Doug O’Neill. (6) Talba was also moved to Tim Yakteen after his debut victory last month that earned a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure. Betting strategy:  Exacta: 3 with 4.