In addition to the Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promotion at Fair Grounds on Saturday, there are a trio of Triple Crown Prep Race Money Back Special opportunities over the course of the mid-February weekend. The Saudi Derby and Risen Star on Saturday and Sunland Derby on Sunday all reward points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard to the top five finishers with the Risen Star being the first of the 50-point to the winner races in 2026. Here are my thoughts.
Saudi Cup (G3):
Four North American-based runners made the trip overseas for this one-turn mile event over the main track, including 5-2-ML favorite #6 My World. The son of Essential Quality beat a suspect group in the Jerome to kick off his 3YO season for trainer Brad Cox running his winning streak to three races, but has done little to wow. I will use my first Money Back opportunity to take a swing against My World with #1 Acknowledgemeplz. The son of Bucchero has just one win in four starts for trainer Doug O’Neill, but ran better than looks in the San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita Park last out when racing against the flow going 7-furlongs. This barn has been going well to start 2026 and attracts Flavien Prat for their ridgling’s first international test. The price should be right to take a shot.
Play: #1 Acknowledgemeplz (10-1 ML)
Risen Star (G2):
Before last year this 1 1/8-mile test at Fair Grounds had arguably been the best Triple Crown prep despite being run in mid-February. Epicenter in 2022, Angel of Empire in 2023, and Sierra Leone two years ago all made their presence felt in a big way on the first Saturday in May. Perhaps, the race will produce a top contender again this year, but the depth of the field pales in comparison to years’ past.
#3 Golden Tempo returns to the scene of his off-the-pace win in the Lecomte (G3) and will take his share of public support, but it is no doubt #4 Paladin’s race to lose. The $1.9M FTS August 2024 purchase has done little wrong through two starts and was flattered by Renegade’s win in the Sam F. Davis last weekend. He is by far the likeliest winner, but with the insurance from the Money Back offer I will opt to instead wager on #5 Chip Honcho. The son of Connect showed grit to win the Gun Runner in December before being caught wide throughout after a less-than-ideal break in the Lecomte. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen takes the blinkers off and legs up Luis Saez for the first time. I am not sure whether Chip Honcho is good enough to beat the chalk, but he has the recency and will be a much bigger price on Saturday evening.
Play: #5 Chip Honcho (6-1 ML)
Sunland Derby:
The final Triple Crown prep of the weekend goes as the ninth of ten on Sunday afternoon in New Mexico where Springboard Mile winner #1 Express Kid was made the 3-1-ML favorite. The son of Bodemeister was sold after the win for $800,000 in a one-horse flash sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital and now appears in the Justin Evans barn. The Cal-bred was impressive in his first dirt route try, but is likely to have things tough on the front end given the speed to drawn to his outside. Therefore, I will try another O’Neill runner at a price in #3 Pavlovian. The Pavel colt is just 1 for 8, but came with a strong late run after another poor start in the Cal Cup Derby month. If he can avoid spotting the field too many lengths early, he has a shot to make the last move at a price under veteran Edwin Maldonado.
Play: #3 Pavlovian (8-1 ML)
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