Predicteform.com’s Upset Watch: Santa Anita Derby
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Bolo was a stakes winner on the grass (above winning the Eddie Logan Stakes) before taking his talents to the main track for the San Felipe Stakes. (BENOIT Photo)
The $1-million Santa Anita Derby is the most competitive prep of the big three on Saturday and the home of our Upset Watch pick for this week.
Although the Santa Anita Derby drew only a six-horse field, there are four runners with a punter’s chance, highlighted by the logical morning-line 3-to-5 favorite, Dortmund. We would not be surprised to see Dortmund win, but his odds are too low and therefore we'll look to beat him.
A competitive third in the San Felipe Stakes, Bolo (#4) was just a couple lengths behind both Dortmund (#1) and Prospect Park (#6) at the finish line. He not only made the jump to graded stakes competition but also proved he can run on dirt. His previous races all came on turf.
Jockey Mike Smith, one of the best big-money riders in racing returns to ride Bolo after piloting him to his two lifetime wins.
His Pace Figures are a sign of consistency with a strong foundation. Equally impressive was his move from turf to dirt while running an improved Pace Figure, which most likely means Bolo should relish the extra sixteenth of a mile.
$1-million Santa Anita DerbySaturday, Santa Anita Park, Race 8, 6:30 p.m. ET1 1/8 miles, dirt, 3-year-oldsCoverage on NBC Sports Network starting at 5 p.m. ET
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
ML
1
Dortmund
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Kaleem Shah
3-5
2
One Lucky Dane
Rafael Bejarano
Bob Baffert
Michael Lund Petersen
5-1
3
Cross the Line
Juan Hernandez
Jerry Hollendorfer
Red Cap Thoroughbreds LLC, Sigband or Todaro, Et Al
15-1
4
Bolo
Mike Smith
Carla Gaines
Golden Pegasus Racing
4-1
5
Prospect Park
Kent Desormeaux
Clifford Sise, Jr.
Pam and Marty Wygod
7-2
6
Bad Read Sanchez
Mario Gutierrez
Doug O'Neill
Reddam Racing
30-1