Exotics Plays for the Nashville Derby

A dozen three-year-old turf specialists are signed on to run 1 5/16 miles over the unique Kentucky Downs lawn in Saturday's wildly lucrative, $3 million Nashville Derby (G2). Only one runner in the cast has raced at this venue previously, which only adds to the challenge of trying to figure out this puzzle. 

Nashville Derby Exotics

• $2 exacta box 3,6,9,11 ($24)
• 50- cent trifecta box 3,6,9,11 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 6,11 with 3,6,9,11 with 3,6,9,11 with all ($10.80)

The event has a big international flair with four European-based runners, and I feel that each of the quartet merits a lot of respect in this spot. #6 Causeway (5-2) is among the top sophomores overseas and will make his U. S. debut. The Aidan O’Brien pupil is a Group 2 winner coming off of a subpar run on soft ground at Longchamp last time out, but he is long on talent, and these connections are always very dangerous when shipping a runner to the states. Ryan Moore coming in to guide the son of Wootton Bassett only adds to his appeal. 

#11 Nil Bua Gan Dua (10-1), from the barn of Joseph O’Brien, was a winner at 1 1/2 miles in Ireland in his latest showing and is an inviting price on the morning line. The American Pharoah colt has been forwardly placed in his last few outings in Europe and is expected to be among the early leaders once again. Ben Curtis will pilot the colt. 

German Group 2 victor #9 Gostam (6-1) drops down in class to some measure after facing Group 1 foes in a pair of races in succession and could be any kind in his stateside bow. The colt by Saxon Warrior from the always dangerous Andreas Wohler shedrow is from a very good family of grass runners, and he has to be on my tickets with Antonio Fresu coming in for the voyage. 

#3 Glacius (4-1) was a wire-to-wire winner in the Saratoga Derby (G1) in his North American debut and is another import with a big chance in this fascinating event. Trained by Hugo Palmer, the highly regarded son of dynamic sire Too Darn Hot handled the 1 1/4 miles well in two runs previously this campaign, and his running style seems well suited to this course. Luis Saez retains the ride atop the three-year-old colt.