Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires.com takes on TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap each prep race leading up to the GI Kentucky Derby. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets – highest bankroll after the Lexington S. wins.
DeRosa: Last Week – We're on the board and in the black through three races thanks to Audible's win in the Holy Bull S., but already playing catch up. Bankroll: $640.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – There's some opportunity in the Sam F. Davis S., where Catholic Boy doesn't have to win this off the layoff since capturing the Remsen, which isn't a terribly key Triple Crown trail prep race anyway. Vouch looks interesting with some speed off the layoff, and is worth his 8-1 morning-line price, which I think we'll get given the known name in here and a balanced group otherwise. Selection: #7 Vouch (8-1).
Sherack: Last Week – Not exactly the start I was looking for, especially with both of my opponents landing on winners, but there's still plenty of time. Free Drop Billy turned in the best performance of my three selections, completing the exacta in the Holy Bull. Marconi still has some growing up to do and Inscom never showed up. Bankroll: $220.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – Not quite ready to call Vino Rosso this year's Always Dreaming just yet, but don't think he has to be to win this. The unbeaten son of Curlin has every right to take a step forward off two easy victories, including a local optional claimer in his two-turn bow Dec. 22. Tactical speed gives him a major advantage over deserving favorite Catholic Boy. Selection: #3 Vino Rosso (3-1).
DiDonato: Last Week – It was a pretty solid start to the contest, with Lombo (8-1) going out to the front and never looking back in the Bob Lewis. Free Drop Billy had to settle for second behind Ed's pick and my back-up pick Audible in the Holy Bull, while Marconi was still too green for his own good and checked in third in the Withers. Bankroll: $1710.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – Catholic Boy is certainly the one to beat in here, and if he reproduces his last it's unlikely he'll be defeated, but you still have to play against him in a contest like this. Vouch was third behind him that day, but the quality of their respective performances was probably closer than the 6 1/2-length margin between them. Vouch, an impressive debut winner going this trip at Laurel at the end of October, was hung wide into the first turn, and was a bit closer to a pace that came apart while traveling without cover. Catholic Boy was able to draft right behind him, make the second move, and probably appreciated the nine-furlong distance a bit more thanks to pedigree and seasoning. The slight cutback here is a bit of equalizer, and Arnaud Delacour is having another big meet at his winter home base. Selection: #7 Vouch (8-1).
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