by BillyHoSports September 8, 2023
#1 Freedom Trail (20-1)
Winless in five starts since a victory in the Awad Stakes in his second career race, Freedom Trail has consistently faced quality competition throughout his career. However, it’s important to note that he enters this race off a third-place finish as the 3-2 favorite in the Kent Stakes at Delaware Park. Navigating the distance poses a significant challenge for this particular contender.
#2 Gigante (6-1)
Gigante, trained by Steve Assmussen and ridden by Chris Torres, has been making waves in recent races. Just a month ago, he delivered a monumental performance in the Secretariat at this very track. Guided expertly by jockey Javier Castellano, Gigante ran a great pressing trip. As they made the turn for home, he boldly went four-wide and surged past the competition, all at impressive odds of 22-1. While there’s been a downgrade in the jockey department, it’s worth noting that Torres is a skilled rider who has been racing on the Kentucky Downs turf most recently.
#3 Runaway Storm (12-1)
Lightly raced, but a very interesting wild card, this contender is coming off back-to-back front-running wins at Laurel Park, going 1 1/8 miles in June, and at Horseshoe Indianapolis, covering 1 1/16 miles in August. Furthermore, he earned a solid speed figure for his recent allowance win, suggesting he could be the one to catch in this race. As such, he presents a potentially dangerous threat to the competition.
#4 Salute the Stars (4-1)
A stakes winner on dirt in 2023 after beginning his career on the grass and winning one of two turf starts last year, this contender makes a return to the turf here. This comes after an unplaced finish in the TVG.com Haskell Stakes, where he was rank early and encountered some trouble. Despite being known for being a handful in races, there’s potential for a surprise in his return to the sod if new rider Sheldon Russell can settle him early. I always place faith in trainer Todd Pletcher.
#5 Dataman (15-1)
This well-bred Gelding appears to be coming into his own in the second half of his 3-year-old season. He notched an off-the-turf runaway win, which was followed by a three-quarter-length score at 12-1 odds in the Bald Eagle Derby at Laurel Park. This intriguing contender could potentially offer a nice price for bettors & Trainer Graham Motion has 3 wins in the last 6 years.
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#6 Mondego (5-1)
Having posted two wins and one second in his first four starts, all at this distance on the grass, this contender then stepped up to face the big boys in a couple of Grade 1 races. He notably led in deep stretch in the 1 ¼-mile Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes before giving way late when third, beaten by a length. However, he faced difficulties on the yielding turf in the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Derby Invitational. Given his past performances, this race feels like an ideal spot for a return to form.
#7 Activist Investing (10-1)
This one figures to attract plenty of money coming out of back-to-back wins from the barn of elite turf trainer Chad Brown. However, it’s worth noting that stablemate Program Trading almost certainly will generate more support of the two Brown entrants. It’s noteworthy that Activist Investing is entering this race in similar form as his stablemate when he won the Saratoga Derby Invitational. Nevertheless, expect Activist Investing to be right in the mix in deep stretch.
#8 Laurel Valley (30-1)
Having been knocking on the door all 2023, looking for that elusive Maiden win, this contender finally scored last month at Saratoga in a MSW for 88k. He’ll be hard pressed to get the lead in the Virginia Derby with the stiff competition he faces this time around. He’s the longest shot in the race.
#9 Integration (8-1)
Integration won his career debut by 6 ½ lengths here at Colonial in a 1 1/16-mile race on August 12. Notably, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is known for his patience. Therefore, seeing Integration entered in a Grade 2 race in his second start indicates he thinks very highly of this Quality Road colt. However, it has been a forgettable season for the McGaughey barn when it comes to winning Graded Stakes races.
#10 Ari Gold (8-1)
Another entrant with speed, Ari Gold enters off a runner-up finish to fellow Virginia Derby entrant Dataman in the Bald Eagle Derby. Notably, he figures to carry some value coming off that particular defeat. No offense to the previous jockey, but the addition of Jose Ortiz increases the chances Ari Gold bounces back to contend in this strong field.
#11 Program Trading (7-2)
Unbeaten in three starts and coming off a Grade 1 win for trainer Chad Brown in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes, Program Trading figures to be the post-time favorite in the Virginia Derby. Despite drawing a tough post, he has the tactical speed to gain decent early position.
In the Saratoga Derby Invitational, Program Trading was impressive, nearly wiring the field. Leading from start to finish, he briefly lost the lead late in the race but showed remarkable resilience by surging back to secure the victory. That kind of determination is certainly a trait to admire in a racehorse.
