Normally when the Lexington rolls around, there’s not a lot of interest in it as realistically, there’s not any legitimate Kentucky Derby threats in the race.
That might not be the case this year as there are two, maybe three horses with serious Derby aspirations.
The race is the 9th on the Keeneland card and is set for a 2:34 p.m. post time.
The top 20 horses in official prep race points get spots in the Derby. Anothertwistafate sits 23rd with 30 points, with Sueno sitting 25th with 28 points. A win from either of them would get them a spot in Kentucky with the 20-8-4-2 points available. Harvey Wallbanger has only 10 points and while a win would not guarantee him spot, it puts him close in case others drop.
Let’s take a look at the key horses.
Anothertwistafate (2/1, Blaine Wright trainer, Javier Castellano jockey): The winner of the El Camino Real Derby has a spot in the Preakness thanks to that win. But a solid second place in the Sunland Derby has the connections thinking bigger things. The big change here is picking up Castellano as the jockey. In the Sunland he got four-wide heading for home and the extra distance run could have cost him the win as he lost by a neck. Seems like he can run all day so if he gets to the Derby could be a great play.
Harvey Wallbanger (7/2, Kenneth McPeak, Brian Hernandez): The winner of the Holy Bull at 30-1 was a disappointing eight in the Florida Derby. After getting brushed at the start he was never a factor and turned in an ugly performance. Not sure why the connections are running him back so quick as the Florida Derby was run March 30. I am still am somewhat of a fan, but after that egg he laid in the Florida Derby, he’s got a lot to prove. If for some reason he makes the Derby, it would be three races in five weeks.
Sueno (5/1, Keith Desormeaux, Corey Lanerie): Hasn’t really run a bad one, but just hasn’t been able to get a win since the Gold Rush at Golden Gate Fields back on December 1. Since then it was a second in the Sham at Santa Anita, a second in the Southwest at Oaklawn and a third in the Louisiana Derby. This will be his sixth different race track in his last six races. An interesting runner that needs a win here.
Zenden (6/1, Victor Barboza, Tyler Gaffalione): Kind of the wild card here and could be the one to spoil the party for the three favorites. He had three good runs heading into the Tampa Bay Derby, then went out set the pace, then got caught in the lane and finished fourth. But it was a gutsy run and he should be out front again here.
By Dennis Miller