Saturday's 7th race from Hawthorne is the G3 Illinois Derby for 3yo's traveling nine furlongs on the main track. Not much pace in the paper race and
#1 American Lion (7-2) might forget to stop. The well-bred WinStar colt was on many early Derby lists (including mine) after Keeneland maiden tally and graded Hollywood score to end his juvenile campaign. He did all of the pace dirty work and finished a better than appears 3rd in his G2 Lewis return, but he donned the hood and was rank in a disappointing effort in the March 13 G2 San Felipe. The hood come off for this and aggressive pilot David Flores climbs aboard. He should handle conventional dirt based on running style/pedigree and the rail post is money at this distance. This is the last chance for the son of Tiznow to make the Derby and everything seems to be in his favor. #4 Yawanna Twist (4-1) owns an ascending speed fig pattern and has plenty of upside with only three starts under his belt. Landed place in G3 Gotham and will probably stalk the pace for quality connections. #7 Backtalk (3-1) is the tepid morning line choice. The Amoss trainee won three sprints to kick off his career last summer and he tailed off in final two juvenile starts. He returned in the pink vs. three foes in the slop at Delta but I am not convinced he has moved forward from his 2yo season. I'll try to beat the likely underlay. #5 Turf Melody (6-1), #6 Dave In Dixie (9-2) and #8 Game Ball (12-1) will be finishing but do not get the right pace scenario to flatter their late charges. #3 Boulder Creek (10-1) invades from SoCal and remains eligible for an entry level spot. #2 Stephen's Got Hope (8-1) is still a maiden and needs a softer spot.
The Plays: $20 to win #1, $10 Exacta 1-4Check out all the
2010 Kentucky Derby contenders on
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