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 Arkansas Derby/Lexington day wins.
DeRosa: Last Week – Maximus Mischief was third in the Holy Bull. Lucky Lee was seventh in the Withers. Nolo Contesto scratched. Bankroll: $530.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – After whiffing last week, we're going to try to go full-on Dave Kingman and try for the home run this week with Going for Gold. Still a maiden, this likely longshot fits with these with any sort of improvement stretching out for new owner Ron Paolucci. Knicks Go to his outside is the primary danger, but if Going for Gold gets the jump on the inside, I think he'll be hard to catch by anyone else. Selection: #2 Going for Gold (20-1).
Sherack – Last Week – Almost feels like that Nolo Contesto late scratch was a win after another pair of disappointing efforts from Admire (fifth at 18-1 in Withers) and Mihos (fifth at 2-1 in Holy Bull)… Time to get going. Bankroll: $0.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – Between the short price (good luck seeing that 5-2 listed on the morning line) and expected hot early pace scenario, I'll take a stand against the front-running Knicks Go in his comebacker with a very promising son of Tapit, Kentucky Wildcat. The first foal out of the talented Better Lucky (Ghostzapper) exits a pair of very live races in New York, including a strong third-place finish behind King for a Day (Uncle Mo) and a game win over super impressive next out maiden winner Country House (Lookin At Lucky) going a one-turn mile at the Big A last time Dec. 1. The Godolphin homebred tries two turns for the first time here and geared up for this with a five-furlong bullet in 1:01 3/5 (1/5) at Palm Meadows Jan. 24. Trainer Tom Albertrani has enjoyed his share of success in 3-year-old stakes in Oldsmar, boasting a pair of Tampa Bay Derby winners on his resume as well as last term's GIII Florida Oaks heroine. Selection: #6 Kentucky Wildcat (9-2).
DiDonato – Last Week – One scratch, and two very disappointing efforts. Good thing my fellow competitors didn't fare any better. Bankroll: $500.
GIII Sam F. Davis S. – Slop or not, Cave Run's debut romp was very visually impressive for a barn that rarely wins first out. He was somewhat disappointing when a distant third as the favorite in the seven-furlong Pasco S. last time, but it's possible he reacted a bit off of that big first effort. Plus the two runners who finished in front of him would look pretty good in here. The Godolphin homebred is obviously bred to improve with the added ground: he's by Tampa Bay Derby winner Street Sense, out of a Bernardini daughter of Grade I-winning router Sugar Shake. Sugar Shake is also responsible for a GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up, and herself is out of a Cotillion winner. Selection: #4 Cave Run (6-1).
Click here for Sam F. Davis Ultimate PPs from Brisnet.com.
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