Michelle Yu's Penn Derby Preview

Awesome Slew

10-1

Paco Lopez

Showed an affinity for the local strip with a 7 length trouncing last out in the Smarty Jones. He seems like a need the lead type and there were not horses like Cupid and Nyquist in the Smarty Jones. I can chalk up his Haskell choke to slop but I don't think he's a contender for the win.

Exaggerator

9-2

Kent Desormeaux

We heard the connections say that he doesn't NEED the rain to win but we have yet to see that be the case. If it rains, unload. If it's dry I would look elsewhere. To date he only owns 1 win on fast ground and this is a big talented field.

Summer Revolution

8-1

Mike Smith

Lost all shot in the Kings Bishop with an awkward start and then was just not good enough to catch up. This will be his first try going a route but if anyone can milk it that's Mike Smith. Would have to really improve but has the pedigree to get better with ground. Interesting.

Connect

12-1

Javier Castellano

A versatile sort when it comes to running, he was outclassed in the Travers. While he appears a useful sort I think that he is a cut below the top tier of the 3-year-olds.

Cupid

5-1

Rafael Bejarano

Baffert always ends up loaded and can collect million dollar purses like a kid collects candy on Halloween. While this grey has had some hiccups along the way he has built up his heart lately with back to back Derby scores. I think with his confidence boosted he is a threat. Must use for me.

Wild About Deb

20-1

Tiago Pereira

With only a maiden win to his credit Deb could find himself in a better situation should he face lesser. Sure, he managed a runner up on the Smarty Jones behind the 1 horse last out but he will need to take a gigantic leap forward here to be a contender.

Gun Runner

6-1

Florent Geroux

How do you not like Gun Runner? He might not be fast enough or want to go much farther than 1 1/16 but he tries every time and one day he will be rewarded for that. The pace scenario favors him and he will come grinding away at the end.

My Man Sam

20-1

Julien Leparoux

His runner up effort in the Bluegrass and his physical appearance made him a "wise guy" horse in the Derby but so far it seems his effort there was a fluke. He wasn't even able to hold off Tale of Verve in a short field allowance race at the Spa at odds on. The best I can say for Sam is that Julien Leparoux gets back on him and he has been absolutely red hot since returning from a minor wrist injury.

Nyquist

5-2

Mario Gutierrez

The rubber match continues! Who is better? Nyquist? Exaggerator? Will the going be wet or dry? So many questions to be answered in this rich event. He seems to have been enjoying his staycation at San Luis Rey even if all their plans (like swimming) didn't work out. It's hard to dislike a horse who has only finished worse than 3rd once so I am going to say that the Champ will be back!

Sunny Ridge

12-1

Joe Bravo

Jason Servis is having an excellent meeting here with a small sampling and while this horse has never won a big race he is an interesting contender with a an upside of price. Exotic play.