Super Screener: 3 West Virginia Derby contenders to bet
This year’s renewal of the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby presents a handicapping challenge, as you can make a win case for most of the horses in the field. We've narrowed it to three, however, using Horse Racing Nation's Super Screener handicapping system.
What's offered here is a small sample of the full product, which will also assess the weekend's other top stakes races. Now, as for the West Virginia Derby analysis, this trio receives an "A" rating to use in multi-race wagers and atop your exotics:
#8 Mr Freeze is a very lightly raced Dale Romans charge who fits well with this bunch. He won his first two starts and then nearly took top prize in the Iowa Derby with each race a better effort than the one prior. There is no doubt about his ability to handle the extra ground. Had to hesitate some in the stretch in the Iowa Derby, which cost him the win. Top player here.
#5 Once On Whiskey was impressive winning off the bench and first time routing at Saturday's distance in the Los Alamitos Derby. He should only move forward off that effort second off the layoff. Will lay closer to this soft pace, but lays out energy in a very balanced way so he will keep on coming. Has experience shipping, and a very strong last work suggests he is still in top form.
#6 Rugbyman tries two turns for the first time, but his balanced energy distribution profile and breeding indicates he will relish going longer. His best race was the Easy Goer, in which he could have finished better but the jockey couldn’t straighten his head. Got needed blinkers but faced much tougher last out. Will press the soft pace here but should continue on with interest through and past the wire.
Along with analysis on the rest of the West Virginia Derby field of nine, the Super Screener offers suggested exacta and trifecta tickets to play involving those three horses. Get the Super Screener advantage with your wagering!