Ohio Derby J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A baker’s dozen of sophomores has been entered to contest the marquee event
at Thistledown, the $150,000 Ohio Derby (G2). Pennsylvania Derby (G2) star GONE
ASTRAY (Dixie Union) is clearly the one to beat in here and should have a fairly
easy time of it for trainer Shug McGaughey. The dark bay has improved as the
distance has increased, proven by the colt posting BRIS Speed figures of 102 and
106 in his pair of showings at nine furlongs. Eddie Castro will guide the
morning-line favorite.

Prairie Meadows Derby upsetter KARAMA (Macho Uno) has won four of five career
starts for trainer Kellyn Gorder, and the underrated three-year-old rates a
chance against this bunch. The Florida-bred gelding has been perfectly placed
throughout the year and is set up for a peak performance in his third off of the
mini-break. We loved the closing kick that the bay displayed last out and we’ll
tab him for a top-three placing in here beneath Victor Lebron.

Illinois Derby (G2) runner-up GIANT OAK (Giant’s Causeway) is either an
underachiever or overrated, but we can’t figure out which one.
Trained by Chris Block, the once-promising colt has struggled with inconsistency
for the duration of his career but is more than capable of winning this race
with one of his best under Eusebio Razo Jr. We just lack the confidence in the
Illinois-bred to back him while acknowledging that he can beat
these.

Pennsylvania Derby runner-up JOIN IN THE DANCE (Sky Mesa) ran better than we
envisioned in the Keystone State and is clearly an exotics threat in here for
Todd Pletcher. The speedy bay should be forwardly placed throughout, and if our
top pick fails to show up for whatever reason, this one could be ready to pounce
on the winner’s check. Orlando Mojica has the assignment.

HOOPOE (Birdstone) looked good breaking his maiden at Saratoga in an
off-the-turf maiden test and shouldn’t be totally dismissed for the gimmicks in
this questionable field. The progressing Kentucky-bred has excellent positional
speed and could enjoy a dream trip turning for home on this day. We’ll surely
include this one in our vertical plays. Ernesto Oro will ride.

Prince of Wales S. hero GALLANT (Aptitude) is drawn poorly in the 12 post and
might not be fast enough to keep in touch with this field for trainer Mark
Casse. The gray Ontario-bred showed nothing in his last and is not training
locally, so we will look elsewhere. WAR FIGHTER (Repent) is bred to run at least this far and could be a useful
inclusion in the gimmicks while returning to a conventional dirt track for trainer Jamie Ness. First or
second in his last four tries, the gelding doesn’t look fast enough to win this
but could outlast a handful of these and get a minor award while boosting the
vertical gimmicks. Huber Villa-Gomez will guide the
Florida-bred.

FUNDY (Northern Afleet) has won two in succession at Delaware but would need
a substantial jump in form to challenge for the top prize in this event The Helen
Pitts-Blazi charge has run well twice on wet ovals, so a little precipitation would
not hinder the gelding’s chances. The well-bred ICE ROAD (Unbridled’s Song) has yet to run to his pedigree for
Michael Matz and we simply haven’t been impressed by anything we’ve seen from
the gray colt. WESLINN (Noactor) has won two straight, but the colt is a notch
below the best in here and he’s yet to run on dirt, so we’ll pass.

FONDA RONDA WON (Teton Forest) was a distant third in an allowance heat at
Mountaineer in his latest and looks outclassed. PERFECT START (Jump Start) has run against solely Michigan-bred foes up to
this stage of his career and will likely find the class jump too much. PETCH (Petionville) had a horrible prep for this and can’t be endorsed on
this occasion.

Karama, Giant Oak, Petch, Hoopoe, Weslinn and Fundy are all cross-entered to
the Indiana Derby (G2).