3 longshots you can't ignore in Saturday's Kentucky Derby 2018 preps

The 2018 Kentucky Derby trail makes three stops on Saturday, when the favorites look like solid win threats in the Gotham Stakes, Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe. But some interesting longshots are lurking in the shadows. Let's name them.

Free Drop Billy, Firenze Fire, and Enticed are the three Gotham favorites, and one of those runners are likely to get the job done. 

Whereshetoldmetogo sits on the board at 15-1, and he really seemed to turn the corner with the addition of blinkers in a minor $60,000 stakes race at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park last time. He has tactical speed and might be able to hit the board with continued improvement. 

Sam F. Davis hero Flameaway and wise-guy pick Vino Rosso figure to take the bulk of the wagering action.

Tiz Mischief is 8-1 morning line and can bounce back after a distant show finish in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 3. The late runner made nice progress as a juvenile, and his near miss from post 12 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs last fall was a big effort for such a young horse. He gets pace to chase in today's paper race, and might look much improved in his second start after a layoff for Dale Romans. 

This looks like a match race between Bolt d'Oro and McKinzie. One of the aforementioned big names should take this one, but don't leave Ayacara out of your exotics plans. 

Ayacara, trained by Keith Desormeaux, and ridden by his brother, Kent, made real progress with the addition of blinkers in the Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 3. He was never going to catch loose front runner Lombo, but he rallied nicely for the place, and appears poised to grab a nice chunk of the purse in this Derby points race as well.