Tampa Bay Derby J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Undefeated champion WAR PASS (Cherokee Run) leads a field of seven in the

$300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on Saturday, and we can't see any runner in this group

touching the likely odds-on choice on this day. The Nick Zito trainee has been

an absolute monster in his brilliant five-race career and has yet to be headed

at any call, and no horse has been really close to the Kentucky-bred at

any point following his awesome debut. The dark bay had a useful enough prep for

this when galloping over an allowance field at Gulfstream, and he has since

posted a solid five-eighths work in preparation for this. Cornelio Velasquez has the

call.

BIG TRUCK (Hook and Ladder) had a solid prep for this when a fast-closing

second in the Sam F. Davis S. over this oval and is the likely exacta filler on

this occasion. The New York-bred colt has been steady throughout his six-race

career but may have turned the corner of late, signaled by his two bullet

drills in advance of this test. The bay would have to move up considerably to

even challenge for the win, but a runner-up effort is likely under Eibar Coa.

Remsen S. (G2) runner-up ATONED (Repent) has been training well for his

return and could complete the trifecta on this day for Todd

Pletcher. The Florida-bred had been consistent if nothing else in his juvenile

campaign, which included a tally in the Continental Mile S. and placings in the

Whirling Ash S., Dover S. and the aforementioned Remsen. The dark bay finished

nearly five lengths ahead of Big Truck in the Remsen, but the lack of a

recent race keeps him in this third slot beneath John Velazquez.

Sam Davis fourth DYNAMIC WAYNE (Eltish) has put in a pair of solid efforts

over this oval and could challenge for a top three placing if any of the top

trio should falter in this one. The Illinois-bred bay made a nice middle move in the

Davis last out before ultimately finishing fourth, and his knowledge of this

quirky surface could carry him a long way on this day. We're not sold that the

colt is talented enough to scare anyone in here, but a well-timed ride and minor

improvement could see him earning a nice paycheck for conditioner Dale Bennett.

Pablo Morales will be in the irons.

MAKE ME ZACH (First Tour) reached new heights with a dominant allowance win

at Gulfstream Park, but steps up several levels in class in here for Barry Rose.

The oft-raced gelding cruised home by 6 1/2 lengths in his last start, but must

prove that was no fluke and that he can endure the 1 1/16 miles

over this oval. Jose Rivera II will guide the Florida-bred.

Pasco S. runner-up GENTLEMAN JAMES (Yankee Gentleman) showed little on the

grass last out and is eligible for improvement with a switch back to the main

surface for Myra Mora. With that said, his best still wouldn't challenge these

so we can't endorse the colt. CIGAR MAN (Drewman) had solid form as a juvenile

at Calder but has yet to transfer that consistency to this season for

conditioner Kathleen O'Connell. The dark bay would be a factor for the gimmicks

with something resembling his two-year-old ability, but it's hard to back him

with confidence.