How to bet the 2022 Ontario Derby

A compact field of five sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta at Woodbine in Sunday’s C$150,000 Ontario Derby (G3). Conditioner Mark Casse will saddle #2 Mannix (2-1) in hopes of securing his initial stakes win, and I think that the chestnut will make good in the well-matched field.

By Australia, the three-year-old colt has had mixed results since arriving in North America, but the Irish-bred was a smart allowance victor on the course three back and will be dangerous with even slight improvement off that performance. Mannix has positional speed and will likely track from the third-place slot early in a field with enough early tempo to aid his late run. Patrick Husbands will be in the silks.

The removal of blinkers for #3 The Minkster (5-1) is an intriguing move from conditioner Daniel Vella, and it could move the son of English Channel into a winnable spot. The bay colt was 3-for-3 to begin his career, and after two failed attempts against better, he drops in class without the headgear, and the colt has been training very well of late, too.

Ontario-bred bagged the Coronation Futurity S. at the distance last campaign, and I believe that he represents excellent value in the tilt with regular pilot David Moran in the silks. The bay will never be far back and well placed at the top of the stretch on this occasion.

#4 Luckman (5-2) is 3-for-3 since being claimed by Vito Armata, led by a closing tally in the Toronto Cup on the grass last time out. By Empire Maker, the gelded sophomore has been first or second in four of his last five tries on the oval, and his current form makes him a most obvious contender in the field with Daisuke Fukumoto riding. The Kentucky-bred bay will be taken back early prior to making one run in the lane.

Ontario Derby Wagers

• $20 exacta 2 with 3 ($20)
• $10 exacta box 2-3 ($20)
• $5 trifecta 2,3 with 2,3,4 with 2,3,4 ($20)