American Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) rallied to a good-looking, one-length decision

in the May 23 Arlington Classic, and the Chris Block-trained colt will look

for the second leg of the Mid-America Triple when he squares off against six

rivals in Saturday's $300,000 American Derby (G2). We expect him to be looking

for a sweep in the August 8 Secretariat S. (G1).

The Chris Block-trained colt won his career debut over Arlington's turf last

August, storming home to a two-length victory, and he improved to two-for-two

over the Chicago lawn in the Arlington Classic, registering a massive 115 BRIS

Late Pace number for his strong late showing. The massive chestnut got off to a

slow start this season while gearing up for a possible bid in the Kentucky Derby

(G1), but he's clearly got things going in a positive direction now and will be

difficult to deny in this spot.

California invader OIL MAN (Ire) (Pyrus) exits a solid one-length score in

the Cinema H. (G3) and will be looking for his third straight overall win on

Saturday. Trained by the dangerous John Sadler, the bay colt could show more

speed here under new jockey Alonso Quinonez, and we'll look for the stalker to

offer a good rally on the far turn and into the stretch. His BRIS numbers are a

little ordinary, but this will be the bay colt's second start back off a

two-month freshening and he's eligible to keep improving for Sadler.

NO INFLATION (Repriced) is a strong contender for a top three finish.

Runner-up in the Arlington Classic and a close third in the Jefferson Cup (G2)

most recently, the Tom Proctor pupil owns plenty of quality stakes experience as

well as century-topping BRIS Late Pace numbers. The bay gelding will be running

late under Robby Albarado.

DAKOTA GYPSY (Horse Chestnut [Saf]) exits an impressive six-length allowance

romp at Lone Star, but he'll be seriously tested for class in his stakes debut.

The Merrill Scherer runner merits some consideration for the bottom of the

exotics at a price (15-1 morning line) given his sharp current form. REB (Stormy

Atlantic) exits a pair of narrow wins at Churchill Downs and Keeneland, and the

bay colt will step up to face stakes rivals for the first time. The Rusty Arnold

trainee could develop into a nice stakes type, but we're inclined to just watch

in his first attempt.

VAQUERO (Orientate) showed some turf promise when finishing fourth in the

Bourbon S. (G3) last fall, but we don't like the colt's chances at 1 3/16 miles

in his first start in 259 days. PROCEED BEE (Bernstein) switches back to turf

off a disappointing effort in the Iowa Derby, but he was no factor in the

Arlington Classic and doesn't look well-spotted here.