West Virginia Derby

Mountaineer Park

Saturday August 6^th  , 2011

Name: West Virginia Derby Grade: II

Purse: $750,000

Distance/Restrictions: 1 1/8 Miles, Dirt, 3 Year Olds, STAKES

Prayer For Relief

Infrattini

Little Drama

Awesome Bet

Rush Now

Sherriff Cogburn

Skipping the Score

Dreamy Kid

Loranger Native

Fred High

For the past few years the West Virginia Derby, and it’s very attractive purse of 750,000, have attracted a few top three year olds – including a few Kentucky Derby winners. Unfortunately that isn’t "as true" this year….as the headliners (and favorites) only have modest derby or stakes wins --- however both of these favorites have beaten solid horses and could pose as contenders in the upcoming Breeder’s Cup!

The two favorites for the West Virginia Derby are Iowa Derby winner #1 Prayer for Relief and Swaps Stakes winner #8 Dreamy Kid.

In his last race – Prayer for Relief enjoyed the same rail spot he’ll have this Saturday and he used it with aplomb. He remained slightly off the pace and as they hit the home stretch he was positioned without any traffic in front of him – and he strode to with winner's circle strongly.

#6 Sherriff Cogburn challenged Prayer for Relief in the final furlongs but faded into a second place finish.

#8 Dreamy Kid will also be a favorite in this race – and his style will (most likely) be in contrast to Prayer for Relief – as Dreamy Kid will likely hang back in the middle or back of the pack and make his late push shortly before the last turn.

In his last race Dreamy Kid stole a victory, with a bob of the nose, over Coil – Coil recently won the Haskell Invitational defeating Preakness Winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice……so while the favorites here at the WV Derby may be relatively unknown….that doesn’t mean they can’t run.

#2 Infrattini has won one race in his last four starts, but placed in the remaining three. At 8/1 odds and a solid post position – he may be worth a look. The distance in this race is a slight concern for him as he’s never raced beyond 1 1/16 – but he’s not the only one in this field looking at a new distance.

#3 Little Drama has finished in the money four times out of his last five races – however most of his finishes have been for a show. I don’t like his chances for victory here, but he’s a solid look if you’re betting a trifecta.

#4 Awesome Bet was the recent winner in the Barbaro Stakes – and has won three out of his last four races – his trip in the Lone Star Derby was a very disappointing 7^th  - If Awesome Bet can run his race – I think he’s got a shot to upset.

#5 Rush Now recently finished 3^rd behind Awesome Bet in the Barbaro Stakes and 3^rd in the Philmont behind winner Little Drama. A number of racing experts really like this horse….he’s the horse that seemingly does everything well….but win. I’m scratching him off my list.

#7 Skipping the Stone has two races on his resume and both were 6^th place finishes. He hasn’t raced since January and he’s going at 50-1. For this long of odds I like that he’s a three year old we haven’t seen since January….meaning he could have matured into a very competitive horse for this field….and no one would know it except his trainer. However it’s his first time back and he didn’t have a lot of race experience to begin with – it’s a good long shot bet……but he's a long shot for a very good reasons.

The other long shot is 30-1 West Virginia bred - #10 Fred High – who (according to my material) will be making his racing debut in this derby. I suppose one could argue he’s never lost a race….but my guess is you won’t be able to say that at the end of this derby.

#9 Loranger Native at 12-1 odds is an interesting wild card to me. He’s had five career races and finished in the money in all five – he returned to racing for a second place finish in his last race in June, but that was after nearly a four month lay-off. The combination of having one race to shake off the rust, and yet relatively fresh legs and a solid record makes him an intriguing 12-1 bet.

In conclusion – I’m not crazy about the three top horses Dreamy Kid, Prayer for Relief, and Sherriff Cogburn traveling across the country for this race – while 12-1 Loranger Native is merely taking a small road trip over country roads ….. (yeah I went there for the West Virginia Derby, even though Bill Withers Lean On Me should be the state song because he’s from West Virginia instead of Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. – aka John Denver who was from New Mexico….but I digress….)

Everything looks like it’s working for Prayer For Relief and I like him for the win, followed by Awesome Bet, and a stuck in traffic at the turn Dreamy Kid.

Closing Speed likes: 1-4-8

However from the betting standpoint – Infrattini, Little Drama and Loranger Native all of enough talent to make their 8-1 / 8-1 and 12-1 odds worth a very solid consideration in either a exacta or win/place bets.

And yes we’re closing with West Virginia’s Son Bill Withers…..