Playing the Late Pick 4 on Super Derby card

With Kentucky Downs postponing Saturday’s program due to rain, the focus shifts to Louisiana Downs for its Late Pick 4, highlighted by the $400,000 Super Derby (G2).

The 1 1/8-mile Super Derby has produced four winners of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) the same season, the most recent being Tiznow in 2000, but this year’s seven-horse field came up a little light without any graded stakes winners.

The Late Pick 4 begins with race 10.

10^TH: #3 STRING KING (7-5) can win his third straight and I’ll include #4 ALAMO HEIGHTS (8-1) and #6 WARREN’S REBEL (12-1) as well. Alamo Heights returns to Louisiana Downs with solid form for Danny Pish (30% this meet) and the 4yo runs well locally, capturing last year’s Prelude and a turf allowance. Warren’s Rebel has a decent effort over the course and will show speed for Andrew Leggio/Luis Batista, who have won two of their last five starts together with a +$4.96 ROI.

11^TH: Super Derby field lacks speed and I’ll build a ticket around #1 PRIME ENGINE (9-2), who exits a six-length score in the August 9 Emerald Derby and figures to dictate the pace from his innermost post. Joe Steiner accompanies the improving colt. #3 THE PICKETT FACTOR (8-5) and #5 ALLIED AIR RAID (9-5) are capable challengers who will be used on a back-up ticket.

12^TH: #1 CHOOBERT (4-5) is the horse to beat and will be used on everybody’s tickets, and #2 SHARP EAGLE EYE (15-1) is intriguing at a price. The latter debuted in a $5k claimer on dirt and rallied past more than half the field in the final furlongs to be third. Sharp Eagle Eyed now switches to turf and the breeding is there, with his second dam winning the grassy Senorita (G3) and a pair of G1 turf winners (Cetewayo and Dynaforce) under the fourth dam. I’ll play him straight at anything close to his morning line and add #7 ENGLISH APPROVAL (12-1) to my main ticket given his turf breeding.

13^TH: A $5k claimer concludes the sequence and #8 SYLVAN HILLS BOY (9-5) fits at this level but has lost three of his last four starts as the favorite. I’ll root for a price, using all on my main ticket, and 4,7,8,9 on the saver.

.50 Pick 4 (races 10-13)

Ticket 1 – $40.50

3,4,6 with 1 with 1,2,7 with all

Ticket 2 - $24

3,4,6 with 3,5 with 1,2 with 4,7,8,9

Good luck!

TwinSpires.com is offering players a 10% Pick 4 Bonus at Louisiana Downs Saturday – simply cash a winning ticket in the Late Pick 4 on this year's Super Derby card, and you'll be credited with a bonus equal to 10% of your gross winnings, up to $500. Complete details: https://www.twinspires.com/super-derby-louisiana-downs-10-pick-4-bonus