After our 10/3 success in the Kentucky Oaks last night we have three selections for the famous Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Godolphin’s Essential Quality heads the betting and he holds every chance from stall 14 however we are happy to oppose at a short price of 11/4 in this 20-runner field.
Our first selection is Rock Your World for John Sadler and Joel Rosario.
This $650,000 son of Candy ride is 3/3 with just one of those victories coming on the dirt but he seemingly improved for the surface landing the Santa Anita Derby and he is open to any amount of improvement on his second try.
Stall 15 has been lucky in previous seasons and he shapes like he will relish this step up in distance.
Our next selection represents Doug O’Neill who has landed this prize twice since 2012.
Hot Rod Charlie wasn’t far behind Essential Quality at the Breeders’ Cup last season and he is a horse that is clearly improving. He has versatile run style and he is well-birthed in stall 9.
At a bigger price it is worth nothing Medina Spirit who has form tied in with both of the above selections.
Bob Baffert’s sole runner in the race has a likeable attitude so you would have to back him if this turns into a battle at the finish and he is yet to finish outside the top two in five career starts.
He isn’t the flashiest and his trainer admits he is an ‘over achiever’ but he is sure to run his race and we fancy him to at least hit the top five.