HorseCenter: Ohio Derby, Lady Jacqueline Stakes top picks

By Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman
Photo:

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman handicap and offer top picks for a pair of stakes races from Thistledown. Catching Freedom is the headliner in the Ohio Derby, and the Lady Jacqueline Stakes features a wide-open cast of 10 older females.

The Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby drew a field of 10 3-year-olds, including six horses who appeared on the 2024 Kentucky Derby trail. Catching Freedom won the Louisiana Derby (G2) and went on to finish fourth in the run for The roses and then third in the Preakness. Uncle Heavy won the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct.

The $250,000 Lady Jacqueline has four evenly matched distaff runners who will vie for favoritism in the field of 10. Kenny McPeek will ship Corningstone to Thistledown, and Mike Maker sends Misty Veil to the Cleveland-area track.

Matt and Brian agree on their top pick in the Ohio Derby but come up with two different choices in the Lady Jacqueline. Enjoy the big day of racing at Thistledown and, as always, thanks for watching the show.

Read More

Fair odds: Long-shot play of the weekend is at Churchill Downs
I'm dubious that we'll actually get the 20-1 price the morning line suggests on Quatrocento in the Grade...
Head to Head: Undefeated Disco Time faces 5 rivals in Dwyer
The one-mile Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds scraped together a small field of six for its 49th renewal. Grade...
Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is officially retired
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Friday that Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan officially has been retired, but fans...
Churchill: Wolfie's Dynaghost makes 1st start for Lynch
Wolfie’s Dynaghost , a 12-time winner for owner-breeder Woodslane Farm, is set to make his first start with trainer...
Friday works: 12 graded-takes winners are on the tab
Multiple Grade 2 winner Skippylongstocking had his first work since August Friday for a planned return at Gulfstream...