TwinSpires.com Triple Crown Throwdown: Sunland Derby

Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires.com takes on TDN’s Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap each prep race leading up to the GI Kentucky Derby. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets –highest bankroll after the Lexington S. wins.

DeROSA: GII Louisiana Derby Result – Noble Indy refused to lose at 5-2.
DeROSA BANKROLL: $2930.

GIII Sunland Derby – We’ll stick with picking an also ran from the local prep in the big race in the Sunland Derby and favor Mine That Derby runner-up Runaway Ghost. The Ghostzapper colt should like the added distance, and local connections won’t attract the money the national outfits do when shipping in to New Mexico. Runaway Ghost on top! Selection: #11 Runaway Ghost (8-1).

SHERACK: GII Louisiana Derby Result And I thought that was a rough beat last weekend with Pony Up. I guess I’ll take more place money (Lone Sailor was second at 9-1) for now, though.
SHERACK BANKROLL: $1910.

GIII Sunland DerbyPeace, always held in high regard by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, may be primed for a breakthrough effort returning on surprisingly short notice here. While all eyes were on McKinzie and Bolt d’Oro, and rightfully so, Peace made a flashy move from far back on the far turn and came home in a very good :31.29 (only Bolt d’Oro was finishing faster in :31.20) while a well-beaten fourth in a GII San Felipe S. for the ages Mar. 10. I’m willing to give him a pass for his disappointing fifth with first-time blinkers in the GIII Robert B. Lewis, but it’s time for him step up now. Selection: #5 Peace (12-1).

DiDONATO: GII Louisiana Derby Result Retirement Fund never threatened.
DiDONATO BANKROLL: $2590.

GIII Sunland Derby – With all the out of town shippers, it seems like Runaway Ghost might not get quite as much respect as he deserves. But he’s pretty much just as fast as anyone in here, and boasts an experience edge over a track that can be a bit quirky. I loved the way he sat patiently turning for home two back when a pair of rivals swarmed him before opening back up and cruising to victory. He took a lot of heat early last time, but ran on admirably to settle for second to underrated ‘TDN Rising Star’ Reride, who’s apparently running in the UAE Derby. Nine panels shouldn’t be an issue for this son of Ghostzapper, so if Runaway Ghost is able to sit a trip, he’s got just as good a shot as anyone. Selection: #11 Runaway Ghost (8-1).