Divining Rod, Whiskey Ticket highlight competitive Ohio Derby

Divining Rod exits a pair of highly encouraging performances (Keeneland/Coady Photography)

A convincing winner of the Lexington (G3) two starts back, Divining Rod (Tapit)
stepped up in class with a respectable third-place effort behind American
Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Preakness (G1). The Arnaud Delacour-trained
colt returns to a more realistic level on Saturday and will take some beating in
the $500,000
Ohio Derby
at Thistledown.

Julien Leparoux will retake the mount on the dark bay colt and Divining Rod
has never finished out of the money in six career starts (2-1-3). Ranked first
in BRIS Prime Power (140.5), the well-bred sophomore is listed as the early 7-2 second
choice.

Illinois Derby (G3) winner Whiskey Ticket (Ghostzapper), unbeaten in two
starts for Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert, is the slight 3-1 morning line
favorite in the
1 1/16-mile Ohio Derby. Martin Pedroza will retain the mount and Whiskey Ticket
figures to show speed from his innermost post position.

Far Right brings a deep-closing run style into the Ohio Derby (Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

Multiple Grade 1-placed Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) finds class relief in this spot
following unplaced efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and the D. Wayne
Lukas trainee will attempt to snap a 13-race losing skein with new rider Joe
Bravo. The chestnut colt is 6-1 on the morning line along with War Story
(Northern Afleet), who placed in the Lecomte (G3), Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana
Derby (G2) before finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby last time. Kent
Desormeaux will guide the gelding for Tom Amoss.

Wood Memorial (G1) runner-up Tencendur (Warrior’s Reward) never fired in the
Kentucky Derby, checking in next-to-last (17th), but the George Weaver-trained
colt is eligible to rebound in this spot. He gets blinkers off and is listed as
the 8-1 sixth choice with a returning Manny Franco.

Rounding out the field are expected longshots Bodhisattva (Student Council),
Dekabrist (Street Boss) and Thirstysilverpieces (Badge of Silver).