Code of Honor, Harvey Wallbanger Meet in Crowded Florida Derby
By: Jeffrey Cobb, S. FL ThoroFan Member
There is some early speed signed on in this race. The 1 horse, Hidden
Scroll has gone to the lead in his first two races breaking his maiden
first time out by a solid 14 lengths. Hidden Scroll disappointed his chalk
eating backers as a 6 to 5 favorite in the Fountain of Youth (FOY). However, he
may have an excuse, the comment line said bumped, stumbled start, tired. Javier
Castellano is taking over the reins from Joel Rosario. I'm not so sure that's
much of a jockey upgrade. But Hidden Scroll does have speed and the inside
post. I love speed on the rail, and Hidden Scroll is a tepid 5/2 ML favorite.
The other speed comes
from the 7 horse Maximum Security.
Luis Saez rides for Jason Servis. Interesting as this one also broke maiden at
first asking. The race was Maiden Claimer for 16K. However he has beaten
winners in 50K Optional Claimers twice now winning last out by a HUGE 18
lengths. Maximum Security has never been past 7 furlongs, so the distance is a
question for this one. Looks to be an early pace factor and fade to me.
Also in the mix are
the FOY 1st and 2nd place finishers #9 Code of Honor and my personal favorite #4 Bourbon War. Code of Honor gets Johnny V. riding for Shug McGaughey
and Bourbon War has Irad Ortiz, Jr. for Mark Hennig. Code of Honor will try to
close from mid pack while Bourbon War likes to come from way back. The expected
fast early pace will help both of these.
Other horses of
interest are: #2 Current with Manuel Franco up for Todd Pletcher and #3 Harvey Wallbanger with B.J Hernandez on
board for Kenneth McPeek. Current is
going Turf to Dirt, a 25% move for Todd Pletcher. In addition Manuel Franco is
57% wins and 86% in the money for Pletcher over the last 60 days. I like those
intangibles. Harvey Wallbanger is well rested having not raced since winning
the Holy Bull on February 2. I would look for these guys to take minor awards
and use them in the lower halves of my vertical bets.
The rest are just out
for the exercise. So what happens. Hidden
Scroll and Maximum Security duel
it out on the lead with Maximum Security spitting the bit first.
Hidden Scroll hangs on a little longer but the race is set up for Code of Honor and Bourbon War. Code of Honor
will get first run and repeat his FOY victory. Bourbon War will be fighting it out with Current and Harvey
Wallbanger for the remaining prizes.
I will key Code of Honor with the other 3 for
exactas and and trifectas.
Good luck and enjoy
the race.
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