AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
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LONE STAR DERBY (G3), 8TH-LS, $300,000, 3YO, 1 1/16M, 4:51 P.M. (CDT), 5-13 |
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| 1 |
WANNA RUNNER, 3, G, by El CorredorShebandowana, by Mt. Magazine O-Michael E Pegram; B-Yvonne Schwabe (On) |
| 2 |
RAIN ON MONDAY, 3, G, by Pine BluffRichsis, by Jeblar O-Millennium Farms; B-Scott Wilton E. (Tx) |
| 3 |
ADMIRAL’S ARCH, 3, c, by High YieldBurning Hope, by Dehere O-Padua Stables; B-Padua Stables (Fl) |
| 4 |
RED RAYMOND, 3, c, by Deputy CommanderWin Right Now, by Waquoit O-Thomas W Franks; B-Fires William H. (Ky) |
| 5 |
WAIT IN LINE, 3, c, by Line in the SandLong Wait, by Classic Go Go O-Frontier Stables; B-Farnsworth Farms (Fl) |
| 6 |
MR. PURSUIT, 3, c, by General RoyalOn a Lark, by The Prime Minister O-Ilona Whetstone; B-Pope McLean Sr Pope McLean Jr Marc McLean Mt Joy (Ky) |
Only six three-year-olds will contest Saturday’s $300,000 Lone Star Derby
(G3) and WANNA RUNNER (El Corredor) looks like a heavy favorite. Listed at 7-5
on the morning line, the Bob Baffert-trained gelding exits a 4 3/4-length win in
the WinStar Derby and his natural speed should serve him well. The chestnut
draws the rail with Victor Espinoza and will likely lead wire to wire.
RAIN ON MONDAY (Pine Bluff) has never been two turns but does own the
breeding for the distance. Transferred to Steve Asmussen since his last race,
the dark bay gelding owns good speed and could sit a perfect tracking trip off
the pacesetter. The Texas-bred exits a solid runner-up showing going seven
furlongs in his stakes debut, earning a 96 BRIS Speed rating, and Rain on Monday
will give us some opportunity at value in the exacta. We’ll look for him to hold
for second.
RED RAYMOND (Deputy Commander) is obviously dangerous with his class,
finishing second to Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr) in the Rebel S. (G3) two starts back,
a neck better than Kentucky Derby (G1) third Steppenwolfer (Aptitude), but the
Bob Holthus-trained colt is a confirmed closer. He’ll sit closer to the pace
given the lack of speed in the field and remains a threat, but Red Raymond could come up a little short in this 8 1/2-furlong
test.
ADMIRAL’S ARCH (High Yield) is another late runner who can’t be dismissed
from consideration. Following three straight runner-up finishes, the Asmussen
charge broke through with a nice win in the Northern Spur Breeders’ Cup S. last
time at Oaklawn Park, closing from far back to win by a half-length. If the
front-runners come back to the field on Saturday, Admiral’s Arch has a chance to
be a factor.
MR. PURSUIT (General Royal) needed nine starts to break his maiden and then
captured an allowance/optional claimer in late March at Oaklawn. The Joe
Petalino trainee exits a decent third to Admiral’s Arch in the Northern Spur,
but we’ll just watch to see how the late-running colt fares in his graded debut.
WAIT IN LINE (Line in the Sand) owns lower Speed ratings and could find this
company too difficult.