After a huge Saturday of racing that saw a massive payout of over $164k in the Gulfstream Park Rainbow 6 and Magnitude run off the screen at odds of 43-1 in the Risen Star at Far Grounds, the Kentucky Derby trail continues this afternoon in New Mexico. Yes, the $400,000 Sunland Derby headlines a 10-race card that features a Kentucky Oaks qualifier as well. Plus, this means another chance this weekend at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET’s ongoing Triple Crown Money-Back Special Offer. Get up to $10 back on your win bet if your horse finishes second or third in Race 9. Let’s get to a few horses I like on the card.
Race 5: Harry Henson
This one-mile event for fillies and mares kicks off an all-stakes Pick 5 and the pace should be contentious given the presence of #2 Brashanknowit and #4 Don’t Bring Crazy. New Mexico-bred #3 Corrina Corrina has won 18 of 35 overall and 7 of 12 over this surface and should benefit from the lively early tempo, but I prefer #1 Valence. The daughter of Violence makes her first start since battling early and tiring late in the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The Ty Garrett trainee has had success over both the grass and dirt and should sit a dream trip off the two pacesetters drawn to her outside. Christian Ramos takes the call for the first time for a barn that has a positive ROI dating back to the start of 2024
Play- #1 Valence (2-1 ML)
Race 6: Red Hedeman Mile
#2 Holy Hank enters the $90,000 Red Hedeman Mile having crossed the wire first in 5 of 6 to start his career, but was disqualified and placed third in his Sunland debut going 6-panels last month. The son of Holy Lute has proven tough to get by, but there is other speed types signed on here and the two-turns is a major question. I will try to beat him with #6 Short Round Bound. The Runaway Ghost gelding finally broke through for his first victory last month going 6.5-furlongs after four consecutive underneath efforts. I like that he continues to improve for trainer Casey Lambert and ran a solid second in his lone try at a route of ground. Hopefully the light bulb came on in the maiden breaker.
Play- #6 Short Round Bound (6-1 ML)
Race 9: Sunland Derby
The featured event will reward 20 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and goes through 9-5-morning line favorite #4 Getaway Car. The son of Curlin has kept better company throughout his career for trainer Bob Baffert, but has not raced since his runner-up effort to Journalism in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). He also has not won yet at two turns and is likely to have to earn it given the other speed types signed on.
With insurance available from the Money Back Special, I will try to run this field down with #2 Remember Big Jim. The Dick Cappelluci trainee enters the Sunland Derby a maiden, but put in a career best effort last time out in the local prep for this race. He should be able to save ground early off a hot first half mile and come with another strong run under jockey Elvin Gonzalez. The price should certainly be right to take a swing to close out the weekend.
Play- #2 Remember Big Jim (12-1 ML)
Good luck!!
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