Saturday Race Selection: Grade III West Virginia Derby

By Rick Francis —-

Mountaineer Race Track

Race 8) Grade 3 West Virginia Derby 3yo 1&1/8th Miles Post Time 5:35 EDT

Lionite (1), Asmussen/Cabrera; after running near the rear, Quality Road colt was closing late last out in the Iowa Derby; likes to be forwardly placed, so he needs to stay out of trouble early.

Draft Pick (2), Eurton/Talamo; Grade 3 Affirmed winner was caught in the closing strides last out in the Los Alamitos Derby; he’s put together three straight strong efforts; obvious win threat.

Caloric (3), Londono/Mejias; colt hasn’t been competitive in his last four starts.

King Cause (4), O’Neill/Leparoux; the jock change to Leparoux can’t hurt, but this gelding has yet to prove he fits with these.

Once On Whiskey (5), Baffert/Prat; in his first real distance test last out in the Los Al, Bodemeister colt had enough to get the win; Baffert with a last out winner, 34 percent; you know what you’re getting with this one.

Rugbyman (6), Motion/Vargas; after a game neck second two back in the Easy Goer, Tapit colt just didn’t have it in the Grade 3 Dwyer where he finished a very distant fourth. He’s got the skills, but this is a tough spot to rebound.

Pamir (7), Vashchenko/Quinones; broke his maiden here in May and exits a solid second here as well, just on the turf course; overmatched.

Mr Freeze (8), Romans/Albarado; he was closing fast in the Iowa Derby, his second straight late running effort; give him another sensible pace to chase, and he’s got a legit shot.

High North (9), Cox/Geroux; given a ground saving trip, colt out of Midnight Lute was asked in the Iowa Derby stretch and he responded winning by a half-length. The Brad Cox barn has been one of the hottest all year, this guy will show up again in here.

Selections: 9, 2, 5, 8