Friday, September 22, 2006

Super Derby XXVII

Louisiana Downs will host the 27th version of the Super Derby on Saturday and a field of eight has entered, but it seems that there are only three or four serious contenders in this field. I will pick the Bob Baffert trainee Point Determined as the winner here. He was Sired by Point Given, who SHOULD have won the Triple Crown, and returns to the dirt after a failed effort on the turf in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby. His only other really dull effort came in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished ninth after getting bumped around in the 20-horse traffic jam. Lawyer Ron, who spent the better part of the spring as my Derby winner, will be second-best today. He came back after a break following the 12th-place result in the Derby to win the St.Louis Derby at Fairmount Park under the lights. He also threw a bullet workout on the board on September 16th. The show spot goes to Strong Contender, who has never missed the money in six lifetime starts. He has not run since finishing 3rd in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on August 6th. The fourth spot might go to local Louisiana horse, Costa Rising, who appears to be part of the speed in here and might hold off the rest to get a cut. The best of luck to you all.