NYQUIST made a total believer out of me with his performance in the Kentucky Derby. He was on top of a fast pace that saw the seven other horses involved early tire and wind up either soundly beaten, distant finishers, or eased. But Nyquist not only survived the Derby’s demanding early pace, he thrived, scoring decisively.

As was the case with the Kentucky Derby, take the parimutuel element out of play, and it’s almost impossible to look past NYQUIST as the most likely winner once again Saturday. The undefeated juvenile champion has done nothing wrong to this point and has been brilliantly managed during his 3-year-old campaign, with the thought of having plenty left in the tank for another big effort in Baltimore and, should all go as expected Saturday, three weeks down the road in the Belmont.

The all-stakes pick four sequence Friday at Pimlico that begins in race 8 and concludes with the Black-Eyed Susan is a nice one. Let’s go after it.

Race 8, Jim McKay Turf Sprint

I used to look forward to the Derby card thinking about the countless opportunities that awaited on a program filled with “tourist” money. The influx of wagers from part-time bettors and those who played just once or twice a year helped fill the pools with potential payouts that wouldn’t appear on your average race card. However, this year my sense of anticipation was tempered by the fact that I did not have the time to explore the card the way I wanted to, and instead of attacking the day at Churchill with two fists I remained tentative.

Pick your spots!

Grey Stark
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: May 11, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 83
Came with a nice late run in her 3-year-old debut to close the gap on her talented stablemate Elysea’s World, who was heavily favored in her first start since arriving from France; first career start at Saratoga last summer was a deceptively good effort while racing greenly after a slow start. 

Belmont
Ruffian (race 7)

TORIAEZU NAMA

Trainer: Lorna Perkins

Last race: May 14, 7^th

Finish: 2^nd by 1 3/4

Beyer: 68

She ran a winning race at first asking in the faster split of an Ontario-sired maiden special, during which she was herded at the break before closing four-wide. She galloped out strongly, and the daughter of Milwaukee Brew is bred to go long. 

STORMN CHLOE

Trainer: Denyse McClachrie

ARCADIA, Calif. – The wickedly fast Lucky Folie might emerge as star of the show Sunday at Santa Anita, but the program includes wagering opportunities more appealing than the $75,000 Angel’s Flight Stakes for 3-year-old sprint fillies.

Specifically, races 1, 4, and 6 include legitimate contenders at tempting prices.

Saturday’s card at Santa Anita features two stakes races – the $75,000 Singletary for 3-year-olds on turf and the Grade 3 Laz Barrera for 3-year-olds on the main track. I’ll construct my wagers focusing on these events.

RACE 3 – SINGLETARY

There are four graded stakes on Saturday’s card at Belmont featuring some talented runners. Let’s take a look at some potential plays:

Race 7, Ruffian Stakes
INCLUDE BETTY (2) – 5-1 morning line, 5-1 value line