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 – Saturday's Results – Scabbard was sixth and Mailman Money was fourth in their respective divisions of the Risen Star. Ajourneytofreedom was seventh at Golden Gate. Bankroll: $1195.
GIII Southwest S. – I really wanted to go with Gold Street here right back, but the presence of other speed, the added distance (with no short stretch), and the high weight impost all added up to an el paso in this spot for me. If he drifts from 6-1 I could still see him being worth a bet, but Answer In with Castellano coming in for the assignment and figuring to have speed to chase is the play here to cap a big Derby prep weekend for the Cox barn. Selection: #9 Answer In (3-1).
Sherack – Saturday's Results – Frustrating day at the windows with all three selections running well and looking live at the top of the stretch, but settling for in-the-money finishes (Major Fed-second; Silver State-third; and Indian Peak-third). Bankroll: $1685.
GIII Southwest S. – I really wanted to have a strong opinion in this race while making my Oaklawn Park debut this weekend, but struggled a bit landing on a top pick here. I'll take a shot with American Butterfly, who ran a much-improved close second off the bench sprinting over this course while rallying up the rail in the stretch in a live-looking allowance earlier this month. Granted, he had more than his share of chances at two, but let's see if he's taken a step forward for Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas at what will be a very generous price. Selection: #5 American Butterfly (15-1).
DiDonato – Saturday's Results – Was kicking myself after the first division of the Risen Star–should've followed my first instinct and taken Mr. Monomoy rather than Moon Over Miami, who turned out to be the wrong Mott trainee to land on at Fair Grounds. The hot pace I was expecting just never materialized. Lynn's Map was way too far back in the second division–I can already see myself trying him again next time. At least my chalky play on Azul Coast came through to remain even with Sherack. Bankroll: $1685.
GIII Southwest S. – This is a very well-matched group and, truthfully, I don't have a super strong opinion. I'm going with Answer In, who ran a big race off just a maiden win to narrowly miss to re-opposing Shoplifted in the Springboard Mile. He had pretty obvious traffic trouble in the stretch, and just feels like the horse most likely to take another step forward. The outside post should allow him to work out a stalking, midpack trip, and it sounds like he's been working pretty well. Selection: #9 Answer In (3-1).
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