Super Derby

A field of 10 will go forward for the $750,000 Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana
Downs. ROYAL SAINT (Saint Ballado) comes into the 1 1/4-mile race off four
consecutive victories, all at the Bossier City, Louisiana, track. His first try
against stakes company last out, the Prelude S., resulted in a close victory in
a field which included fellow rival SILVER HAZE (Silver Deputy). Trainer Cole
Norman has been doing very well at Louisiana Downs and has been putting the
chestnut three-year-old through some good workouts in the mornings. Guy Smith
will ride.

West Virginia Derby (G3) winner REAL DANDY (Yankee Victor) comes off a
disappointing fifth in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and should rebound here. The
Steve Asmussen charge has completed 1 1/8 miles in his last three outings and
shouldn’t have a problem with the distance. He has a good late kick that should
put him near the top of the pack at the wire. Shaun Bridgmohan has the call.

SMOKESCREEN (Smoke Glacken) exits a third in the Pennsylvania Derby, coming
from the back of the pack and splitting foes in the stretch to record a BRIS
Late Pace figure of 108. Trainer Ben Perkins Jr. has not had a problem with the
gray past a mile despite Smokescreen’s breeding, which should classify him as a
sprinter, and the colt warrants respect to hit the board.

Silver Haze also has a good late kick, recording triple-digit
Late Pace figures in his past four outings. The dark bay won three consecutive
races over the turf early in the year, so the switch back to the dirt is a
little questionable, but Silver Haze has proved that he can be successful over
both surfaces. He could hit the bottom of the gimmicks.

A.P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) is already experienced at the Super Derby distance,
winning a 1 1/4-mile maiden race over sloppy going in May, so he had that going
for him. The Belmont S. (G1) fifth placer comes off a victory against
allowance company and should be used in some exotics.

THE DADDY (Valid Expectations) has early speed which could prove beneficial
in a field which lacks any early runners. However, he has never raced farther
than seven furlongs and the extra distance could prove to be too much for the
dark bay. DESERT BREEZE (Deputy Minister) has fared well against allowance
company, but is making his first trek into stakes territory. He may be
outclassed.

NOLAN’S CAT (Catienus), third in the Belmont, finally broke his maiden for
trainer Dale Romans in the chestnut’s last outing but might be overmatched here.
Both MILITARY MAJOR (Rahy) and KILATES KISS (Kissin Kris) are unproven at this
tier and need a race at a lower level before trying this one.