Scully seeks to keep firing as Louisiana Derby marks the last chance to qualify for $25,000 Kentucky Derby Dream Bet

The $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) is the last chance to qualify for the final round of the Kentucky Derby Dream Bet, which offers TwinSpires’ players the chance to win a trip for two to Churchill Downs and a $25,000 Win bet on the Kentucky Derby.

I’ve been fortunate to select three winners so far in the qualifying round, including Cupid in last weekend’s Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park, and was tempted to go with a price in the Louisiana Derby. Battery and Candy My Boy each merited a long look considering they figure to receive a nice trip on or very close to an expected moderate pace, but I will stick with Gun Runner following a commendable win in the Risen Star (G2).

Gun Runner was making his seasonal bow in the February 20 Risen Star, and only his fourth career start, and I’m expecting further improvement from the Steve Asmussen-trained colt. He possesses the tactical speed to sit just behind the front-runners on a moderate pace and has displayed an excellent turn of foot off the far turn in previous starts.

A chestnut son of Candy Ride, Gun Runner figures to get first run on the closers in the Louisiana Derby and can establish himself as a serious Kentucky Derby win contender with a victory.

I’ll use Battery and Candy My Boy in any vertical exotics along with Mo Tom, who appears to be sitting on a big effort following a troubled third in the Risen Star (G2) but may not get the right set-up for his late kick.

Good luck!

TwinSpires.com is offering a Louisiana Derby 5 million points rolling Pick 4 bonus on Saturday’s card at Fair Grounds, with a 1-million point bounty on the Early and Late Pick 4s and a 3 million-point “Hit It and Split It” bonus on the All Graded Stakes Pick 4 (races 7-10)