Indiana Derby: Rattle N Roll will run on week's rest following sharp score

Rattle N Roll just raced July 2, but connections believe the colt is ready to rock again Saturday in the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby.

Rattle N Roll was one of 10 entered in the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Derby, which is vying for the same set of horses as the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows, also scheduled for Saturday. Rattle N Roll, trained by Kenny McPeek for Lucky Seven Stables, also was entered in Iowa and since he just won the American Derby this past weekend at Churchill Downs it was fair to wonder if the colt would race in either spot, but McPeek said Wednesday that Rattle N Roll was a go for Horseshoe Indianapolis. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call.

“He came out of the American Derby breathing fire. I realize it’s unconventional, but the horse is in really, really good form right now,” McPeek said.

Rattle N Roll drew post 6. Inside him are Trademark, First Glimpse, Mowins, King Ottoman, and New Year’s Fever; outside him are Best Actor, Actuator, Un Ojo, and Fowler Blue. Mowins and New Year’s Fever, implausible contenders, were cross-entered in Saturday’s Snack Stakes for Indiana-breds. Actuator was cross-entered in the Iowa Derby.

The Indiana Derby is carded as the last of 12 races, post time set for 6:40 p.m. Eastern. It’s one of eight stakes on the card and is immediately preceded by the supporting feature, the Grade 3, $200,000 Indiana Oaks. While several horses figure to take betting action in the Indiana Derby, Interstatedaydream should be a defined favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Oaks. Trained by Brad Cox, Interstatedaydream exits a sharp win in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico. She’s one of eight in the Indiana Oaks along with Candy Raid, Napa Candy, Patna, Silverleaf, North County, Runaway Wife, and Sixtythreecaliber.

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Other key players in the Indiana Derby are King Ottoman, who cleared the maiden ranks winning the $300,000 Texas Derby on May 30 at Lone Star; Best Actor, a Cox-trained Flatter colt making his stakes debut after starting his career with two wins; and Actuator, who in his most recent start won a Churchill Downs maiden race June 8 with a field-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure. Un Ojo earlier this year was a 75-1 winner of the Rebel Stakes.

McPeek said connections first had intended only to breeze Rattle N Roll on July 2 and point to the Indiana Derby or Iowa Derby. But with the $200,000 American Derby, which would’ve been contested on grass had Churchill’s turf course not been deemed unsuitable for use this summer, coming up light and Rattle N Roll stabled at Churchill, McPeek and Lucky Seven decided to race rather than work. Rattle N Roll turned in his best race of the year, posting a two-length win.

“I think he’s a horse that fits a notch just below the top 3-year-olds in the country right now. This is the right spot for him,” McPeek said.