How to bet the 2024 Del Mar Derby

A well-matched field of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the lawn in Sunday’s $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G2). Three of the contenders in the field are coming off stakes tallies, and I feel that each of the trio will be formidable in the tilt.

Del Mar Derby Wagers

• $12 exacta: 4 with 6,7 ($24)
• $6 trifecta: key 4 with 6,7 ($12)
• $2 trifecta box: 4,6,7 ($12)

My top pick is the Peter Eurton-trained #4 Stay Hot, who was a nice winner of the La Jolla H. off the bench to move his mark to 2-for-2 on the surface. The bay son of Summer Front did capitalize on a quick early tempo in a small field, but the run was still impressive to me. He is 5-for-7 in his career on the green, and regular pilot Antonio Fresu will be atop the stout late runner.

Mike McCarthy’s #6 Formidable Man was best in the Oceanside S. when putting in a late rally en route to victory while moving his local mark to 2-for-2. The $375,000 son of City of Light showed his versatility last time when coming from well back after having been close up in the majority of his prior tries on the weeds, which tells me that he is improving. Umberto Rispoli, who is the go-to pilot for the barn, will be in the stirrups. I expect the Kentucky-bred colt to be tracking the action from the second flight to the top of the lane.

I have long thought that #7 Curlin’s Kaos had a good deal of ability, but even I didn’t see his Real Good Deal S. triumph coming in his latest venture, where the California-bred registered a massive 105 Brisnet Speed figure on the dirt. I'm not sure if it was the surface, or the re-application of blinkers, that moved the son of Clubhouse Ride forward, but I can’t take the gelding lightly, nonetheless. The chestnut is 2-for-4 in his career on turf, and he will likely be sent from the start as the one to catch in the heat. Diego Herrera has the assignment.