One And One Sixteenth Miles – Purse $100,000
We’re headed to New Orleans for The Gun Runner stakes. In this exciting event, we have eight contenders competing for valuable Derby points. The optimal approach when handicapping these juvenile races with the Kentucky Derby in mind is to pinpoint horses most likely to handle the classic distance in the Derby.
As you progress, focus on identifying horses showing signs of improvement, boasting solid speed figures, and demonstrating good form against classier competitors. Whether it’s forgiving a stumble at the gate or applauding a dominant blow out, the road to Kentucky Derby 150 is going to be an exciting trip.
Buy Billy Ho a Cup of Coffee! Or a BEER!
The Contenders
#1 Next Level, with a morning line of 20-1, is sired by Vino Rosso and finally secured his maiden victory just a month ago at Fairgrounds. It was a drop in class compared to competing in Grade One races at Santa Anita and Del Mar. I can forgive the finish in the American Pharoah because he nearly fell to his knees out of the gate; he never had a chance.
#2 Catching Freedom is the ‘Other’ Brad Cox entry, with a morning line of 5-1, and will look to bounce back from a disappointing 4th place finish in an allowance/OC race worth 100k. Going a mile and a 16th at Churchill Downs, he faced trip trouble in the stretch, getting caught behind horses and unable to advance. Once the path was clear, he closed to within half a length of second place.
3 is Risk It, with a morning line of 5-1, coming off a disappointing performance in the Grade 2 Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. I’ve previously highlighted this race, focusing on the 7 horse. During the race, Risk It displayed his displeasure mid-race and struggled with jockey Tyler Gaffalione. I fully expect a bounce back in this race.
Amazon Holiday Deals
Brad Cox is Ready to Test Nash
#4 Neat, with a morning line of 12-1, is 2 for 3 to begin his young career. With back-to-back wins and a consistent improvement in each outing, Neat aims to upset the apple cart for trainer Rob Atras.
#5 Footprint is a 20-1 longshot for trainer Kenny McPeek. He showed some good form in his second place finish going a mile and a 16th at Churchill Downs. In a somewhat slower pace, Footprint tracked along inside & slipped through on the rail. He was unable to outrun the winner.
#6 Nash is the morning line favorite at 7-2 odds. Trainer Brad Cox has high hopes for this colt. This wire-to-wire romp by more than 10 lengths at Churchill Downs was worth a triple digit Equibase speed rating. He’s absolutely the one to beat.
Get All Your KY Derby 150 Updates at BillyHoSports!
#7 Snead, trained by Brendan Walsh, is listed with morning line odds of 6-1. His recent performance at Fairgrounds, covering a mile and a sixteenth with a claiming tag of 100k, was particularly impressive. Jockey Jareth Loveberry skillfully rated the young colt, unleashing him at the three-quarter pole, and they cruised down the lane for an easy victory.
#8 Track Phantom, the 7-2 morning line second choice trained by Steve Asmussen, is an impressive colt sired by Quality Road. Watch my preview video to see Track Phantom as he ghosts a field of 12 down the stretch at Churchill Downs, earning a notable 97 Equibase speed rating in the process.
