Indiana Derby 2016: Picks and Analysis

The 22nd running of the $500,000 added (G2) Indiana Derby will be run this Saturday at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino. A star-studded full field of 12 will look to strut their stuff in Shelbyville, Indiana hoping to make their mark as Indiana Derby Legends. This year's field is a grab-bag of talent. You have seasoned pros such as Cherry Wine who has experienced the rigors of the Triple Crown trail and then you have horses like Seeking the Blame who has shown glimpses of raw talent in only 3 starts. Let's meet the field of colts and geldings for the 22nd Indiana Derby.

#1 (20/1) Discreet Lover - Uriah St.Lewis sends out this son of Repent with jockey Jose Flores aboard. This horse is definitely seasoned and will be making his 14th start in the Indiana Derby. He has shown the ability to compete against stakes company. He finished 3rd in his last race in the $500,000 Ohio Derby. He's interesting, but his history of hanging late is too much for me to overlook. I'll be using only at the bottom of exotic tickets, if at all.

#2 (5/2) Cherry Wine - The son of Paddy O'Prado has proven his class when he finished second in the Preakness (G1) behind Exaggerator and ahead of Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist. He's trained by Dale Romans who is no stranger to the winner's circle. Cherry Wine has a good closing kick and is classy, but he'll be far back early in the race. Jockey Louis Saez has quickly climbed the ladder to become one of the nation's top jockeys. He's won this race before aboard long-shot East Hall in 2014. He'll be a short price and will need a fast pace early to get the job done. The value isn't there for me but I'll use on Pick 4 tickets and exotics.

#3 (10/1) Pilot House - The combo of owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss team up again and look for their first Indiana Derby win with this son of Midshipman. Richard Bracho is also looking for his first win in the Indiana Derby and will be hoping to have this gelding forwardly placed. He's coming in off back-to-back wins in Allowance and Optional Claiming company. He has some early zip but there are other horses in this field with more natural early speed. He hasn't faced the toughest company and he'll be one I'm looking to play against come Saturday.

#4 (15/1) Takeittotheedge - Miguel Mena rides the second of the Dale Romans' non-coupled entry. This son of Broken Vow is a viable long shot for the red-hot trainer. He's very lightly raced with only 3 starts under his belt but he's shown ability. He crushed a group of Maiden Special Weights at Gulfstream Park in his debut by over 7 lengths. He was then thrown in deeper waters with no life vest when he was entered in the Florida Derby (G1) against the likes of Nyquist and Mohaymen. He also had an excuse in the Florida Derby stumbling badly at the start. This horse posses a lot of early speed and could wire these at a big price. He's a definite use for me and will be on all of my tickets.

#5 (6/1) The Player - William "Buff" Bradley will be looking for a little Brass Hat magic when he sends this son of Street Hero to the gates on Saturday. Buff won this very race with Brass Hat in 2004 and The Player has the talent to give Mr.Bradley his second Indiana Derby Victory. Shaun Bridgmohan will be aboard and he'll look to sit a stalking trip. He's been very tactical in his two wins at Churchill Downs this year. He's peeking at the right time and I think his ceiling is very high. I see him sitting two or three lengths off the lead. I think he'll take over this race at the top of the stretch and he is my TOP PICK to win the Indiana Derby.

#6 (30/1) Cocked and Loaded - Trainer Larry Rivelli and jockey Willie Martinez team up for this son of Colonel John. He's experienced and shown some ability in the past. He has a lot of back class in his two-year-old form. He ran a strong 5th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His 3-year-old campaign has been a bit of a disaster but he did show signs of life when running 4th in the Ohio Derby in his last start. If we get anywhere near 30/1 he's one we're going to want to use underneath in exotics because I do think he's rounding back into form and could pay-off big in the end.

#7 (15/1) Seeking the Blame - This son of Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Blame is the most lightly raced horse in the field. The Indiana Derby will mark only the third start of his career. He was a well beaten 3rd to The Player in his debut at Churchill Downs. He was ultra-impressive in his last race while breaking his maiden by over 3 lengths. Brian Hernandez Jr. gets the call for trainer Dallas Stewart. There could be real talent here, this could be a really special horse, but with that being said, making your first start against winners in the Indiana Derby is a lot to ask. I believe he'll be pretty far back early and I do think people will bet him. He's not one I'll be using much, if at all.

#8 (12/1) Whateverybodywants - The all-time winningest Indiana Derby jockey, Robby Albarado (3), will be looking to add another win in to his already impressive resume. The Illinois-bred son of Giant Oak is also lightly raced and will be making only his 4th start. He just won the Prairie Meadows Mile for trainer Kellyn Gorder in his last start. This horse seems to be a fighter to me, he's one you wouldn't want to eye ball deep in the stretch. His speed figures are a little low but I think there's plenty of room for improvement. He's shown several dimensions and he's one I'll use in the tri's and super's.

#9 (20/1) Torrontes - The never-aging Francisco Torres will be looking for another Indiana Derby win with this son of Macho Uno. The second of the Kellyn Gorder trainee's this colt has shown flashes of brilliance but on paper seems to be a little in over his head. The interesting thing to me about this horse is his last two works. VERY STRONG BULLETS at Keeneland. I think this horse is on the improve, he's worth throwing in the pick 4 at a huge price. I think he'll show a lot more speed than he has in the past. He's been on the lead but at slow fractions, I think he's capable of much better.

#10 (20/1) Call The Colonel -  Santo Sanjur gets the mount for trainer Jon Cowan. He's one of the more seasoned horses in the race. He's ran a few decent races in his career but he seems to be way in over his head. I'd be shocked to see him even hit the board. Toss.

#11 (3/1) Cupid - Bob Baffert has dominated this race, he's won it three times with great horses such as Powerbroker, Misremembered (stakes record holder), and Champion Lookinatlucky. Jockey Rafael Bejarano returns to the Hoosier State where he made a name for himself as a young rider. This son of Tapit was dominant in the Rebel (G2) beating future Belmont Stakes winner Creator and Kentucky Derby participant Whitmore. Cupid is the type of horse that will need to control the race early with his speed. The far outside is not the place to be going long at Indiana Grand. He's one you have to use on pick 4 tickets but he's going to be bet heavy. I think he has a shot if he gets over and clears early but I think he'll be pressured quite a bit. I'll use only on pick 4 tickets and underneath in exotics.

#12 (6/1) Star Hill - Corey Lanerie seems to be winning everything these days and he looks to continue that success on Star Hill. The George Arnold charge has faced his share of good horses and is coming into the race off a good performance in the Woody Stephens (G2) at Belmont Park. He's a pretty deep closer and from the far post Lanerie will look to take back and get to the rail. I think with the strong performance in his last race, coming in a sprint, it might give him a little more early speed and allow him to be in touch with the leaders early. If he can navigate a little traffic, he could very well shock the field. He's one I'll be using on Pick 4's and in all exotics.