Free Oaks and Derby Selections

 

The big weekend is upon us and the weather looks to be favorable if you’re a duck. Heavy rains are in the forecast for both days, but the historic oval has been known to be able to handle a great deal of water. If we could get a window of a few hours of sun and a breeze. Just watch and see what magic the best track crew in the nation can do for the deep Louisville surface. – Use these selections as an appetizer for the Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms. Nothing like some frees selections to whet your handicapping appetite for what waits ahead. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies !

The 143rd running of the Kentucky Oaks goes post ward at 6:12 pm EST. – A race that is affectionately known as the “Fillies for the Lillies” has a field of fourteen set to do battle for the Kentucky Oaks trophy. – The weather calls for heavy rains at times for the weekend and handicapping for a wet surface may be just what the doctor ordered.

Kentucky Oaks selections

#13 – Abel Tasman (5-1) = Mike Smith in the saddle for Bob Baffert, and he doesn’t have a Derby runner this year. His plans are winning this race and enjoying the Derby tomorrow. She is 5/6 (ITM) making her third start of the year. She was off slow last time as the beaten favorite. Two angles handicappers look for the next time they run. This race shapes up nicely and with heavy rains in the forecast she’ll do her running late in the lane.

#2 – Lockdown (20-1) = Jose Ortiz in the irons for trainer Bill Mott. They are winning (20%) as a team and bring a filly by First Defense to post. This is her 2nd start off a layoff and she has shown excellent works over the Churchill Downs oval.

#1 – Ever So Clever (20-1) = Luis Contreras is the reinsman for Steve Asmussen. She is 3/3 (ITM) at Churchill Downs and is bred to enjoy the deep Louisville surface and wet tracks may be her strong suit. A very solid price runner who looks to wreak havoc deep in the stretch.

Kentucky Derby selections

Kentucky Derby 143 takes place this Saturday with twenty hopefuls looking to etch their names into the history books. As Mother Nature has plans for a soggy weekend, this rite of spring will go to post at 6:46 pm EST. – For what shapes up as a wide open affair, here are a few runners that promise to bring their “A” game for the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

#14 – Classic Empire (4-1) = Julien Leparoux in the saddle for Mark Casse. This son of Pioneer of the Nile loves the Churchill surface with a perfect record of 2/2 over the track. This is his 2nd start off a brief layoff. He enters the race with an ultra-impressive win in the Arkansas Derby. In 2016, he was the Juvenile Champ of the Year, and broke his maiden over a sloppy track at Churchill. He looks to a have a slight home-court advantage and has the skills to get the job done.

#15 – McCraken (5-1) = Brian Hernandez in the driver’s seat for trainer Ian Wilkes. This son of Ghostzapper relishes the track going a perfect 3/3. He has a lifetime record of 5/5 (ITM) and has overcome injury and many hurdles to make it to the starting gate. According to the rider he is training lights out and bred to get the distance. If the sky opens up he’ll enjoy a gallop over the wet going.

#18 – Gormley (15-1) = Victor Espinoza (Mr. Derby) has three wins to his credit and is the pilot for trainer John Shirreffs. This is his third start off a layoff and this has always been a handicappers’ angle looking for a peak effort. This son of Malibu Moon looks to be hitting his best stride. If he can duplicate his victory in the Santa Anita Derby he could give them fits in the final furlong.

 

The road to the Derby has been pretty murky all season long, and add in the weather and we’re all still guessing. – That’s where Winning Ponies steps up. The color coded tier levels are a comprehensive look at how the race will take shape. The handy icons and complete past performances give you the true vision of the players. Each horse is ranked and the tier levels give you an insider look as to how the Derby will take shape. One of my favorite tools has always been the change of weather tab. You can adjust your weather tab if the track is fast, muddy, sloppy, or off the turf. This will generate a brand new set of E-Z Win Forms at no cost. There aren’t many if any data services that can give you the option to adjust to the weather. But that is just one thing that sets Winning Ponies apart from the rest. If the weather is anything as predicted it may be the difference between a big winning day and guess work. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies, and enjoy your Derby weekend !