Grade 2 winners MISREMEMBERED (Candy Ride [Arg]) and WIN WILLY (Monarchos)
are the top draws in Saturday’s $500,000
Indiana Derby (G2), which attracted an overflow 15 entrants, including three
also-eligibles. Only 12
three-year-olds will be allowed to start in the 1 1/16-mile test at Hoosier Park,
and the Bob Baffert-trained Misremembered figures to head postward as the
betting favorite in his dirt debut.
Second when making his stakes bow in the Affirmed H. (G3) three starts back,
the Southern California-based chestnut recorded his first stakes victory in the
Swaps S. (G2) in mid-July, winning in front-running fashion by 1 3/4 lengths.
Misremembered didn’t threaten when stepping up to face elders in the 1 1/4-mile
Pacific Classic (G1) last time, but the cutback in distance and class relief
should benefit him on Saturday. Regular rider Victor Espinoza will be along to
guide him.
Win Willy established himself as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a win
in the Rebel S. (G2) in mid-March, but he sustained an injury following his
fast-closing fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and was sidelined for five
months. The Mac Robertson runner returned to the races with a solid effort in
a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claiming event at Arlington Park on September
17, rallying boldly late to miss by only a half-length in third, and he’ll
stretch back out to a more comfortable route distance in the Indiana Derby.
Derrick Bell picks up the mount.
Grade 3 runner-up SUMO (Fusaichi Pegasus), a good-looking, five-length scorer
in the Pleasant Colony S. on August 26, merits respect for trainer Graham
Motion, and conditioner Michael Trombetta will stretch out Grade 3 winner
DESPITE THE ODDS (Speightstown) following a fourth in the seven-furlong King’s
Bishop S. (G1). Four horses in the main body of the field, including stakes
victor GIANT OAK (Giant’s Causeway) and Prairie Meadows Derby winner KARAMA
(Macho Uno), are cross-entered to Saturday’s $150,000 Ohio Derby (G2) at
Thistledown.