Exotics Plays for the 2023 Tropical Park Derby

An overflow field of 14 three-year-olds will go postward in Saturday’s $125,000 Tropical Park Derby at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16-mile test on the turf attracted some very talented runners in a tough handicapping assignment. 

Tropical Park Derby Exotics

• $5 exacta key box 8 with 2,7,9 ($30)
• $.50-cent trifecta 8,9 with 2,7,8,9 with all ($30)
• $.20-cent superfecta 8,9 with 8,9 with 2,7 with all ($7.20)

In a group where many of the main contenders are late-running types, I feel that being close to the pace could be important. #8 Smokey Mandate is not necessarily my best selection, but the Mike Maker pupil has the right profile to be a major factor in this one while getting first run turning for home. The gray has been in the top four in each of his lifetime races on the green, with the last trio coming in the stakes ranks. 

Smokey Mandate has very good tactical speed, and with the other pace in the heat drawn on the inside, I expect the homebred to be well placed in third while in the clear all the way to the top of the lane before being asked for his best. Edgard Zayas will be in the irons. 

#9 Ohana Honor has never been better for conditioner Shug McGaughey. The dark bay son of Honor Code dominated allowance foes on the Colonial lawn two back, which preceded a clear second in the Gio Ponti S. at Aqueduct on October 6 when he was seven lengths clear of third. Tyler Gaffalione will pilot the talented colt. 

Michael Trombetta’s #7 Souper Blessing has been solid from a trio of 2023 endeavors and the lightly raced son of Temple City has additional room for improvement. His third in the Toronto Cup S. on the Woodbine sod two back was a nice effort, as was his runner-up result in the Showing Up S. on the All-Weather locally last time out. The Live Oak homebred is intriguing with Edwin Gonzalez in the stirrups. 

#2 Legacy Isle is a wildcard in the field while making his turf debut for trainer Rohan Crichton, but there is reason for optimism for the son of Shackleford at a nice price. The dark bay colt has speed, is training very swiftly, and is also kin to a trio of turf winners including a stakes heroine. Strong turf pilot Junior Alvarado inheriting the mount is another bonus.