Derby Hopefuls in Action at Turfway Park, Fair Grounds and Sunland Park

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• Who: Thoroughbreds – Connemara, Drosselmeyer, Tempted to Tapit
• What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The Lane’s End, The Louisiana Derby, The Sunland Derby
• Where: Turfway Park, Fair Grounds, Sunland Park
• When: Saturday and Sunday, March 27th and 28th

The purses get progressively bigger this weekend for three-year-olds prepping for The Kentucky Derby at one of three venues. The Lane’s End at Turfway Park on Saturday offers a purse of $500,000. Later that afternoon, The Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds carries a purse of $750,000. On Sunday, The Sunland Derby (now a Grade 3 event) tops the weekend 3YO stakes triple-header with a purse of $800,000. Let’s take a brief look at these races and try to select a trio of winners.

With graded earnings of $90,000, Connemara is not assured a spot in a (potentially) full Kentucky Derby field of 20, so a high placing in The Lane’s End is critical. He should get that done Saturday with anything resembling a decent trip. Look for him to save ground from his inside post, and swing out approaching the stretch. He broke his maiden at first asking at Turfway, so there’s no mystery about his affinity for the surface. Golden Gate rival Ranger Heartley should once again assure an honest pace, with stretchout sprinter Chief Counsel also a likely pace presence. I’ll bet on Connemara to win at odds of 7-5 or better.

Discreetly Mine may not enjoy the luxury of setting pedestrian fractions like he did in winning The Risen Star last out. Wow Wow Wow and perhaps The Program could keep things lively up front. That should set up the late charge of Drosselmeyer, assuming that regular rider Kent Desormeaux can work out a trip from Post 13. With a fairly long run to the first turn, that seems likely. A Little Warm is an intriguing prospect making his two-turn debut. Out of an Alydar mare, he should be able to handle the distance, but this is a tough spot to find out. I’ll stick with Drosselmeyer to get the jump on the deep closers, and finally live up to the high expectations of his connections. Odds of 4-1 or better would be acceptable.

The Sunland Derby turned out to be a key prep race last year, as it produced Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. This year’s field is certainly not short on talent, with the unbeaten Conveyance (4-for-4) and Risen Star runner-up Tempted to Tapit signed on. Front-running Conveyance will be favored, but I’m leaning toward probable second choice Tempted to Tapit from just off the pace. The Steve Klesaris trainee has been sharp in all three of his route races, and is bred to love the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Sunland Derby.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!