How to bet the New York Derby

A compact field of five New York-bred sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Finger Lakes main surface in Monday’s $150,000 New York Derby, one of a trio of stakes races on the big card. The Rob Atras-trained #1 Train the Trainer (8-5) is the obvious one to beat in the event, coming off of a pair of wire-to-wire victories since moving to this barn, led by a convincing score in the Mike Lee S. at Saratoga on June 4. But, I will make a case for one of his foes to upset the contest. 

The Gary Sciacca-conditioned #5 Buttah (5-2) drew outside in the small group and has a lot of appeal. Stakes-placed son of Leofric has been first or second in a trio of allowance races in succession and has been a much improved performer since having blinkers added this season. The New York-bred possesses good early foot and a nice closing kick, and he seems destined to thrive going two turns for the initial time on Monday. With the favorite potentially facing pressure from the break, the gray colt could sit in third to the top of the lane before being asked for his best by regular pilot Lane Luzzi. 

Train the Trainer will be formidable with his best effort, and Irad Ortiz Jr. is coming in to retain the mount. The Dialed In gelding is plenty quick and has never run a bad one, but he is likely to have company early, and the bay is no sure thing going a route of ground in his two-turn bow. At an expected short price, I’ll aim to knock off the sophomore. 

#4 Hit the Post (6-1) came off the layoff to dust a potentially solid maiden field at Saratoga last time out for Melanie Giddings. The gelded son of Kantharos surely benefited from running on the best part of the surface on that day, but he still earned a healthy 92 Brisnet Speed figure for his work, and his latest morning drill was positive, too. I expect Elliot to rush him out of the gate in hopes of securing an early edge, and if he does, then the dark bay is worth considering for an exotics piece despite the big class jump. 

New York Derby Wagers

$25 win #5 Buttah ($25)
$5 trifecta 1,5 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5 ($20)