Scully: Ohio Derby Day Late Pick 3 plays

The $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) highlights an 11-race program at Jack Thistledown on Saturday, and there appears to be plenty of pace signed on for the 1 1/8-mile event. One race earlier on the program, fillies and mares will travel nine furlongs in the $250,000 Lady Jacqueline S.

Having a strong opinion in both stakes, I will look to leverage my position in the Late Pick 3.

Race 9: $75,000 George Lewis Memorial S. (3:57 p.m. ET)

Thirteen Ohio-breds are set for the 1 1/16-mile race, and my four key horses are #4 First Song, who will show speed with Irad Ortiz Jr., #8 Big Truck, #12 Mobil Solution, and #13 Authentic Cowtown.

I will also use all on a Pick 3 ticket.

Race 10: Lady Jacqueline S. (4:48 p.m. ET)

#6 Army Wife didn’t experience the best trip when returning against a solid field in the June 4 Shawnee S. at Churchill Downs, finishing two lengths back in third, and the four-year-old filly was eligible to need the race. She lost her first stakes appearance last year, checking in a non-threatening third, and followed with a romping win in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2).

The 1 1/8-mile distance will be to her liking, and Army Wife should receive a favorable up-close trip with Tyler Gaffalione offering her best.

Race 11: Ohio Derby (G3) (5:35 p.m. ET)

New York-bred Pineapple Man should ensure a solid pace. Tampa Bay Derby (G2) victor Classic Causeway figures to show speed after breaking tardily in the Kentucky Derby, and Florida Derby (G1) winner White Abarrio won’t be far back tracking the speed, looking to strike on the far turn.

#7 Tawny Port brings a finishing kick and progressing form to the Ohio Derby, and he looks set for a possible breakthrough performance. A winner of his first two career outings at Turfway during the winter, the Pioneerof the Nile colt ran well for fifth when facing a massive class hike in the Risen Star (G2).

He continued to advance with a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway, finishing 3 1/2 lengths clear of next-out Kentucky Derby upsetter Rich Strike, and Tawny Port stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket with a comfortable rallying win in the Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland.

The Brad Cox-trained colt has stepped up his training since a closing seventh in the Kentucky Derby, registering sharp five-furlong drills in his last two workouts, and Tawny Port will benefit from those stakes experiences. He should get the right setup and adds Irad Ortiz.

• $5 Pick 3: 4,8,12,13 with 6 with 7 ($20)
• $1 Pick 3: All with 6 with 7 ($13)