Ed DeRosa of Brisnet.com takes on TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap Triple Crown prep races plus the big three races themselves. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets in the preps and $200 Win/Place bets in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Highest bankroll at the end wins.
DeRosa – Bankroll: $5480 – Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Result – We had a bit of a chalk parade last weekend, but no regrets considering I picked both Tiz the Law and Art Collector and their wins in the Runhappy Travers and Runhappy Ellis Park Derby, respectively, sets up an exciting showdown in the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs. While their wins solidified their favorite status, there are still some horses looking to attain points toward a starting gate berth in the Pegasus S. on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
Pegasus S. – My Pegasus pick Skyscanner has something in common with Art Collector: they're both by Darley-based stallion Bernardini. Skyscanner has raced four times, and by far his two best efforts came around two turns. Now he stretches out to 1 1/16 miles, and the rail should provide good positioning for a ground-saving stalking trip. Selection: #1 Skyscanner (10-1).
Sherack – Bankroll: $3800 – Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Result – My longshot pick Sprawl never fired.
Pegasus S. – Well, Pneumatic hasn't exactly turned into the monster I thought he was going to be after his ultra-impressive optional claiming tally at Oaklawn back in April, but this is certainly the right spot to get him going in the right direction. Should be able to build off his GI Belmont S. fourth quite nicely here. Selection: #5 Pneumatic (5-2).
DiDonato – Bankroll: $5500 – Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Result -I guess not taking Art Collector was poor strategy, but we've still got a head in front entering the stretch. Shared Sense was just way too far back.
Pegasus S. – It's kind of funny that this whole contest might hinge on the Pegasus. I'm going to grasp at straws here and hope to have a sizable lead again heading into the Derby. Big City Bob won twice over this track as a juvenile, including when he bested the re-opposing Skyscanner and Super John, three next-out winners and eventual MGSW Mischevious Alex in the one-mile Sapling S. He followed that up with a third in the GI Champagne won by Tiz the Law but featuring very little otherwise, and went to the sidelines after that. Big City Bob resurfaced in the Private Terms S. at Laurel and did no running. But now he gets back to the track at which both of his wins came for an outfit that's winning at an extremely high clip this meet. Selection: #2 Big City Bob (8-1).
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