By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
One of my favorite races of the early summer was the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown. As the first major competition for three-year-olds to take place after the Triple Crown, the lucrative race often draws a field of competition dotted with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) alumni.
Saturday’s renewal of the Ohio Derby was no exception. The 1st 1/8 mile drew 8 entries, including 3 horses that escaped the Kentucky Derby. Categorizing all these talents is easier said than done, but we will make our best decision.
Without a doubt, the most accomplished horse in the field # 5 White Abarrio (7-2). As a minor, Race Day’s son won his first two games against the juniors and allowances team at Gulfstream Park before finishing third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S deep version. ( G2) at Churchill Downs.
Returning to Gulfstream for his sophomore season, White Abarrio had no trouble making his way through the deep court at Holy Bull S. (G3), defeating the next Fountain of Youth S. (G2) Simplification winner and runner-up. win Belmont S. (G1) future Mo Donegal 4 1/2 length. Then, in the Florida Derby (G1), White Abarrio rallied from a couple of teams with blazing speed to score 1 1/4 of the length.
But White Abarrio went home slowly while drifting down to the home field of the Florida Derby, and then he faltered to finish 16th by a margin in the Kentucky Derby. He is adding Lasix to the Ohio Derby and qualifying to return with an easier court, but White Abarrio may not have a lasting advantage over some of his opponents in the Ohio Derby, and indeed The fact that he’s 4 to 4 at Gulfstream and 0- for-2 elsewhere is cause for pause.
#8 The Classic Way (6-1) is another Ohio Derby finisher. The dark horse finished ahead of White Abarrio in second place in the Kentucky Jockey Club, and he essentially took the lead in both the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) and the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). ) during the winter at Tampa Bay Downs.
But the Classic Causeway retreated sharply in the Florida Derby, finishing last after a quick initial pace, and then coming 11th in the Kentucky Derby. After two sound setbacks, Giant’s Causeway’s son needed a change of form to challenge in the Ohio Derby, though it’s encouraging that he posted quick workouts before starting his first for Coach Kenny McPeek.
If you are worried about the question marks surrounding White Abarrio and Tawny Port, maybe you can join me #7 Port Tawny (3-1) is the most likely winner. Driven by high-ratio coach Brad Cox (who won the 2019 Ohio Derby against Owendale), Tawny Port made an admirable run in the Kentucky Derby, kicking off a rally from 14th place before finishing in seventh place, beating only 4 3/4 of the way .
Tawny Port’s form in the Kentucky Derby is solid. He finished fifth in the Risen Star S. (G2) deep game at the Fair Grounds, counting all three of the future Kentucky Derby top finishers Epicenter and Zandon among the winners. serve him. Tawny Port then switched to the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway Park for Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), where he used speed-tracking to finish second behind four-time winner Tiz the Bomb. Notably, the next Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike finished 3 1/2 times longer than Tawny Port in third.
Jeff Ruby is an admirable endeavor, but Tawny Port is far from complete on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Back on the field for Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland, Tawny Port scored a surprise from eighth to narrowly beat winner Major General Iroquois S. (G3).
Tawny Port has run well on a variety of tracks and surfaces, so he’s clearly capable of making his game on the road. He’s been training forward since the Kentucky Derby (even hitting a five-shot bullet in 1am at Churchill Downs) and he’ll be mentored at Thistledown by the three-time award-winning racer Eclipse Irad Ortiz. In short, what’s not to like?
Also worthy of respect in the Ohio Derby is #4 The Path of Purity (4-1). Rebel S.’s closest runner-up (G2) couldn’t keep up with Tawny Port in fourth in Lexington, but on May 21, he finished first in the Sir Barton S. 1 1/16-mile race at Pimlico , rallied from behind with steady speed to win by 4 3/4 length.
In terms of Brisnet Speed rating, Ethereal Road is not as fast as Tawny Port, White Abarrio and Classic Causeway. He also missed a scheduled start in Belmont S. (G1) due to a quarter crack. But he responded to show off a five-hook bullet at 1:00 3/5 on June 13 at Churchill Downs, and if any Kentucky Derby alumni falter on Saturday, Ethereal Road could steal a position in precision or trifecta.
Option
First: Port of Tawny
Monday: White Abarrio
Third: The path of purity
4th: Classic Road
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in the Ohio Derby?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, disabled, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
