Albus breaks outside in Ohio Derby; Eclatant the one to beat in Chicago

Albus did no sort of running in last month's Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing 15th in the field of 18. His fortunes might improve, though, on Saturday when he breaks outside in a field of 10 in the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown over 1 1/8 miles.

Albus was sent off at more than 48-1 at Churchill Downs, so his effort was no great surprise. It was also a reflection on his 1 1/4-length win in the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 4, an historically slow effort for the race, which garnered a 91 Brisnet Speed rating and an even lower one on other scales.

However, the form of the Wood has worked out well. The maiden Ocelli, who finished third in the Wood, crashed the Derby trifecta at 70-1 before finishing fourth in the Preakness (G1). The winner of the Preakness, Napoleon Solo, had previously run fifth in the Wood.

Ocelli is back in the Ohio Derby after making little noise in the Preakness after falling far behind early. Also wheeling back from the Laurel feature is stakes winner Chip Honcho, who had skipped the Derby after beating dual classic winner Golden Tempo to the wire in the Risen Star (G2) in February. Chip Honcho was beaten on two other occasions by Golden Tempo at Fair Grounds over the winter, and ran evenly in the Preakness to finish third.

Dual Grade 1-placed Desert Gate figures to get play after romping stakes wins at Oaklawn and Lone Star in his last two for Bob Baffert. Trendsetter, upset winner of the Lexington (G3) two back, subsequently finished a distant third in the Peter Pan (G3) at Aqueduct, while Robusta and Bull by the Horns were well beaten in their respective classic attempts last month.

The other notable domestic stakes this week is the $300,000 Chicago (G3) at Churchill Downs, a seven-furlong test for fillies and mares. Eclatant figures to be a solid favorite after taking the April 4 Madison (G1) at Keeneland by a nose.

The form of the Madison has also worked out, with runner-up Grand Job narrowly missing in the Bed o' Roses (G2) two weeks ago and third-place R Disaster taking the Derby City Distaff (G1) in her next start.

Eclatant's main challengers figure to come from the May 25 Winning Colors (G3), as Usha, Zeitlos, and Foie Gras were separated by margins of a head and neck at the wire.