Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders Revealed in Sam F. Davis - Super Screener
Super Screener

Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders Revealed in Sam F. Davis

Photo by Douglas DeFelice/Eclipse Sportswire

Sam F. Davis

 

McCraken remains undefeated in four lifetime starts and confirmed himself as a top 3 Derby prospect with less than 90 days to go to the first Saturday in May.  The projected swift and pressured pace materialized setting the race up perfectly for both McCraken and Tapwrit, the latter being the Super Screener’s top board hitter selection at odds of nearly 10-1.  Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Tapwrit:

 

(TAPWRIT)TOP BOARD HITTER Will sit 3rd to last early on.  Really a dangerous late turn of foot for Fact Finding’s stablemate.  Gets needed pace and pressure for his late run.  Race on slop also coming back legit.  Must use.”

 

What in the world happened to No Dozing?  Talk about a no show.  Absolutely no excuses and have to question if the horse is healthy.  We’ll learn more in the coming days.

 

By the way, the Tampa Bay Downs track surface was really tight on this day as McCraken set a new track record but so did the next three finishers.  Taking nothing away from McCraken’s victory, but take the time in which he completed it with a grain of salt.

 

A suggested Trifecta wager came back to pay $126 which wasn’t all that bad considering the winner was an odds-on favorite.

Tampa Bay Stakes

Inspector Lynley overcame the dreaded inside post draw and was able to break through at the right moment to capture the win.  If you boxed the top four ranked horses in the Super Screener you would have hit the Superfecta.

 

Kasaqui made so much sense on the drop and ran gamely for 2nd.  Having Irish Strait in our top three was not easy to have but the Super Screener top long shot pick did not disappoint going off at 19-1 and finishing a game 3rd.  Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Irish Strait:

 

“#5 Irish Strait out of the hot Graham Motion barn, draws some attention from the Super Screener as a top prospect to upset this bunch at decent odds.  Great form cycle progress after the year layoff before flopping on the dirt at Laurel Park and then going on the shelf in mid-November. Super Screener really likes Motion trainees that pop a big 2nd-to-last work.  Dangerous player and a must use at a price. TOP LONG SHOT Graham Motion gelding could be a bit of a fooler. Was off for a year and returned last Aug. showing solid progression in first two starts on turf.  Toss the last race.  Can run big right off the bench…top value!”

 

Among the Super Screener wagers, the Trifecta was hit for $317.  

Suwanee River Stakes

Dickinson in a bit tight early sat the perfect trip tracking the pace leaders and then showed a quick turn of foot on the way to a clear victory turning the tables on G3 Marshua’s River Stake winner, Sandiva.   

 

Mott-trained Puca is indeed rounding into form after the lengthy layoff and could have taken 2nd place had she broke well and didn’t take the overland route going 6 to 7 wide coming out of the final turn.  Definitely one to move up as she progresses.

 

Sea Coast and My Sweet Girl ran inexplicably poor races without any real excuses.  Back to the drawing board on that pair for their connections.
The Trifecta was hit among the suggested wagers but it was for a chalky sum.

 

Plenty of stakes action from across the country next Saturday from Laurel Park, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park.  The following week we can look forward to another important Derby prep out of Louisiana in the Risen Star…the race that connections of Gun Runner used on his way to a 3rd place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

 

Until next weekend…Go fast and win!

 

Mike

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