Power Broker Headlines 2013 Indiana Derby Field

Indiana Downs is buzzing with excitement as we near the date for the 19^th running of the G2 $500,000 Indiana Derby. This year’s edition of the Derby will be run at Indiana Downs for the first time as the previous Derby’s have been run at Hoosier Park.

The 2013 Indiana Derby week festivities kicked off today with the Indiana Derby post-position draw.  The hopeful owners and trainers waited patiently to see where their talented colts and geldings would be positioned in the starting gate for this year’s Derby.

Horse Player Now and Indiana Downs odds maker Joe Kristufek was on track to announce his morning line for the G2 affair. Kristufek had a tough task on his hand with a full field of 12 capable horses that all have the talent to win this race.  

The headliner of the Indiana Derby and which Kristufek pegged as the 3/1 morning line favorite, hailing from Hall of Famer Bob Baffert’s barn, Power Broker drew post position #5.  Baffert was pleased with his draw saying “I like the #5 post, there’s no turning back now.” Baffert  won the Derby in back to back years with Misremembered who ran the fastest Indiana Derby of all time and Looking at Lucky who was a two time Champion.

Uncaptured drew post-position #8 and was made the 9/2 morning line second choice. The son of Lion Heart and two year old Canadian champion is looking to bounce back off of a troubled 3^rd place finish in the G3 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx. Uncaptured who was briefly on the Derby trail is trained by Mark Casse. Casse is looking for a big performance in the Indiana Derby saying “He’s on his game and he’s been training really well.”

Perennial leading trainer Todd Pletcher sends out a coupled entry of talented three year old's.  The Pletcher entry of Micro Manage (3^rd in the Haskell Stakes) and Midnight Taboo (two-time winner, who competed in the Belmont Stakes) were made 5/1 on the morning line.

Here’s a quick look at the entire field.

#1. Midnight Taboo 5/1 (Langfuhr – Danzig) (Hot Red – Thunder Gulch) Owner – Mike Repole.                      Trainer – Todd Pletcher.  Jockey – Ricardo Santana Jr.

#1a. Micromanage 5/1 ( Medaglia d’Oro – El Prado) (Catnip – Flying Paster) Owner- Mike Repole       Trainer – Todd Pletcher.  Jockey – Rajiv Maragh.

#2. Mr Palmer 10/1 (Pulpit – A.P. Indy ) (In Truth – Quiet American) Owner  – Michael Lauffer and Gregory Mcdonald. Trainer – Bill Mott.  Jockey – Leandro Goncalves.

#3. Edge of Reality 6/1 (Lawyer Ron – Langfuhr) (Our Nancy Lee – Touch Gold) Owner – The Elkstone Group. Trainer – Anthony Dutrow.  Jockey – Stewart Elliot.

#4. Fordubai 15/1 (E Dubai – Mr. Prospector) (Unaffordable – Unbridled) Owner – James Tafel.         Trainer – Greg Geier.  Jockey – Diego Sanchez.

#5. Ruler of Love 8/1 (Peace Rules – Jules) (Lovmeaten – Wheaton) Owner – Matthew  N Rebro Jr.  Frank Coniglio.  Trainer – Joan Scott .  Jockey – Calvin Borel.

#6. Power Broker 3/1 (Pulpit – A.P. Indy) (Shop Again – Wild Again) Owner- Gary and Mary West. Trainer – Bob Baffert.  Jockey – Martin Garcia.

#7. Bad Hombre 12/1 (Sky Mesa – Pulpit) (A Little Evil – Deputy Minister) Owner- Summit Thoroughbreds. Trainer – John Kimmel. Jockey – Mike Luzzi.

#8.  Holy Lute 12/1 (Midnight Lute – Real Quiet) (Holy Christmas – Holy Bull) Owner – Class Racing Stables. Trainer – James Cassidy. Jockey – David Flores.

#9.  Uncaptured 9/2 (Lion Heart – Tale of the Cat) (Captivating – Arch) Owner – John Oxley.  Trainer – Mark Casse. Jockey – Miguel Mena.

#10. Bradester 20/1 (Lion Heart – Tale of the Cat) (Grandestofall – Grand Slam) Owner – Joseph W Sutton. Trainer – Eddie Kenneally . Jockey – Brian Hernandez Jr.

#11. Take It Like A Man 12/1 (Run Away and Hide – City Zip) (Backatem – Notebook) Owner – Lola and Lynn Cash. Trainer – Kellyn Gorder. Jockey – Malcom Franklin.

Power Broker could be using the Indiana Derby as a stepping stone for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile or even the Classic but he will need to pass this tough test in the Indiana Derby first. Bradester is a 20/1 long shot I could see leaving Power Broker looking for financial advice. Uncaptured could also challenge Power Broker but the Mark Casse charge just might be a Churchill Downs specialist who doesn't take his track with him. 

Don't Forget! Indiana Downs is offering a guaranteed $50,000 pick 4 starting in race 8 which includes the G3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks and the G2 $500,00 Indiana Derby.  The card is full of great betting opportunities but the pick 4 is a must play for the serious gamblers.