Exotics Wagers for the Nashville Derby

An overflow field of 14 is entered for the deep and lucrative Nashville Derby Invitational (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. The sensational purse of $3.1 million attracted three-year-olds from across the country and multiple European invaders in what should be a fantastic turf test at 1 5/16 miles. 

Nashville Derby Exotics Wagers

• 50-cent trifecta 4,5 with 4,5,6,8,12 with all ($40)
• 10-cent superfecta 4,5 with 4,5,6,8,12 with 4,5,6,8,12 with all ($21.60)

I’ll dabble with a few horses in a race that can potentially go to any contender in the field. #4 Stromberg (6-1) had a nice juvenile campaign that included a pair of daylight victories among his four outings. While winless in 2024, the Joseph O’Brien pupil has registered a trio of placings from a quartet of tries. By Iffraaj, the sophomore colt finished third to the unblemished Ombudsman at Deauville in his most recent performance and will be a major player with a forward move off that showing. He should be in the hunt late at a fair number. 

#5 White Palomino (8-1) has been beaten by a head in two straight behind fantastic runners, and the Chad Brown pupil gets a long look at a fair number on this occasion. By Kitten’s Joy, the homebred has performed quite well from a pair of races at 1 3/16 miles. While he will have to negotiate another eighth of a mile in this run, he should be able to do so. Jose Ortiz will be in the stirrups and likely putting the win threat in the mix from the opening bell. 

#12 Cugino (4-1) has shown some improvement since having blinkers added two back for Shug McGaughey. This consistently good son of fine turf influence Twirling Candy was visually impressive when dusting his foes in the Audubon S. beneath the Twin Spires in his latest outing. Anything resembling that will make him a logical contender while making his local bow. Flavien Prat coming in to retain the ride is an added bonus. 

Euro import #6 Bellum Justum (7-2) is a most logical exotics player for trainer Andrew Balding. I’ll use the Sea the Stars colt in the verticals as well as Saratoga Derby (G1) star #8 Carson’s Run (9-2).