The Grade 3 Lone Star Derby

The premier three-year-old race in the state of Texas occurs on Saturday with the Grade 3 $400,000 Lone Star Derby at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. It is a small field of seven, but there is quite a bit of quality present. I am thinking that the Bob Baffert trainee, #5 Mayor Marv, might jump out to the lead and go all the way in front. He won the Turf Paradise Derby and broke his maiden with front-running scores. He tried to do it also in the Sunland Park Derby (which also featured Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird), but faded on the turn to run 11th. #3 Uno Mas finished behind Friesan Fire in three straight at Fair Grounds this winter and spring. His work on May 2 was strong and he gets one of the area's top jockeys in Cliff Berry. #2 Cape Truth is a California invader with two wins in three lifetime starts. The only time the Doug O'Neill trainee missed the money was a turf try in the Pasadena Stakes on the grass at Santa Anita. This will be his first start on dirt, since the two wins came on artificial surface. #7 Mythical Power was the runner-up in the Sunland Park Derby (which by the way ought to be graded in time for its next running). This is the second Baffert trainee in the field with Victor Espinoza aboard. The only other time Espinoza rode resulted in a third in his debut effort. Here is the play for the Lone Star Derby:

$10 WPS #5

I know it's simple, but if Mayor Marv hits the board, you'll get something back. As always, They Are Off is only making a suggestion and accepts no responsibility for any wagers made based on these picks. Tune in again on Monday for the beginning of Preakness week. For right now, I am Gone...GOODBYE!