The horse racing world will be laser-focused on the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Saturday as Churchill Downs presents the world’s most famous race.
While the Derby holds all the prestige and tradition, racing handicappers have plenty to look forward to in the supporting races that afternoon. Here’s a look at and selections for the top stakes on the Derby Day undercard.
Special Wan (5-2) is an emerging force in the older mare grass division. This will be the fourth U.S. start for the Irish-bred mare trained by Brendan Walsh. She has improved with every race on these shores, culminating with a sharp win most recently in the Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Sacred Wish (3-1) has a Grade 1 win on her resume, the Matriarch last December at Del Mar. She disappointed in the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland but must be respected for her demonstrated class. Trainer Chad Brown has a pair in here with Tax Implications (5-1) the more promising prospect than Venencia (15-1).
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert holds a strong hand with the duo of Madaket Road (2-1) and Gaming (3-1) in this contest for 3-year-olds not up to the challenge of 1 ¼-mile Derby.
Madaket Road was a Derby prospect until the Florida Derby (G1) where he flashed the usual speed before fading to fourth. This one-turn mile should fit him perfectly.
Gaming, Madaket Road’s stablemate, was a leading 2-year-old in last season in a campaign that included a second-place finish to Citizen Bull in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Gate to Wire (6-1) started his career on turf and continues to show promise on the main track.
Think Big (4-1) is 3-for-3 since cutting back in distance and switching to grass. He’s running like a new horse on a fresh surface as evidenced by his rallying victory in the Shakertown (G2) at Keeneland.
The Shakertown was the U.S. debut for Rogue Lightning (7-2) who made a favorable impression with a runner-up effort. Nobals (6-1) set the stakes record in the 2023 edition and owns a 2-for-2 mark over the Churchill Downs lawn.
Mindframe (3-1) made his season debut a winning one in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2). He is 3-2-0 in only five starts with the place finishes coming in Grade 1 stakes: the Belmont and the Haskell.
Banishing (5-1) figures to be the controlling speed in this 7-furlong contest and posted an allowance win here last November at this distance. Mullikin (7-2) is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs but might need a race as this is his first appearance since a second-place finish in the Cigar Mile (G2) in December.
New Century (3-1) returns from England following a fifth-place finish at Newmarket. The colt, who won the Summer Stakes (G1) and missed by only two lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), should be fit and ready for this assignment.
Iron Man Cal (9-2) gave his all in the BC Juvenile Turf, losing by only a neck at 29-1. He hasn’t run since then and this is a big ask in a season debut. Zulu Kingdom (4-1) won a minor stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to kick off his season. He demonstrated his class last year with graded stakes wins at Saratoga and Aqueduct.
New Century (3-1) returns from England following a fifth-place finish at Newmarket. The colt, who won the Summer Stakes (G1) and missed by only two lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), should be fit and ready for this assignment.
Iron Man Cal (9-2) gave his all in the BC Juvenile Turf, losing by only a neck at 29-1. He hasn’t run since then and this is a big ask in a season debut. Zulu Kingdom (4-1) won a minor stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to kick off his season. He demonstrated his class last year with graded stakes wins at Saratoga and Aqueduct.
This looks like the ideal bounce-back spot for Spirit of St Louis (9-2). He soared to victory in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) only to crash back to earth as the 7-5 favorite in the Muniz Memorial (G2).
Integration (4-1) has been knocking on the door this year with a pair of second-place finishes in Grade 1 races. Gigante (15-1) offers good value for longshot players off his neck defeat in the Muniz.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
