A Kentucky Derby Dream Bet on a Horse Without Kentucky Derby Dreams

Just because the connections of Withers Stakes winner Sunny Ridge don't have aspirations of going to the Kentucky Derby with their Holy Bull gelding doesn't mean those betting on him don't.

It's understandable that New Jersey racing stalwart Dennis Drazin, who owns Sunny Ridge, would prefer to win races closer to Interstate 95 like the Preakness south in Maryland, the Belmont north in New York, or the Haskell in his own backyard. But regardless if Sunny Ridge ends up traveling west on I-64 to Louisville instead, $15 to win on him today in the Gotham Stakes could help punch your ticket to the Kentucky Derby via TwinSpires.com's Kentucky Derby Dream Bet promotion.

I'm a little nervous taking Sunny Ridge in this spot in part because I haven't "qualified" yet, so the pressure is on to hit one of these bets and also because it's a classic wedding-funeral scenario whereby I missed the wedding in the Withers and am likely willing to take a shoter price now in the Gotham. For FREE Brisnet.com Ultimate Past Performances of the Gotham Stakes, CLICK HERE.

But I thought Sunny Ridge "needed a race" in the Withers, which means I went into the race thinking he'd improve off it. Turns out he didn't "need the race" to win it, but I do think the curve is still ascending to his triple-digit Brisnet Speed Rating from finishing behind Exaggerator in the Delta Jackpot. That 2nd behind Greepointcrusader isn't bad either. I.e., either Exaggerator or Greenpointcrusader would be a clear favorite in this spot.

James Scully and I have discussed at length waiting for the breakout race. That takes nothing away from Nyquist and Mohaymen, who have been impressive as undefeated multiple graded stakes winners, but someone else has to step up, no? I think it could be Sunny Ridge in this spot.

Then we'll really see what kinds of dreams his connections have.