Super Screener: Betting on big prices in the Virginia Derby

The lone Kentucky Derby prep this weekend is the Virginia Derby on Saturday at Colonial Downs, and a fair pace set-up over the one-turn 1 1/8-mile distance has Mike Shutty thinking things could line up for big-priced closer.

"The pace will be on the swifter side," Shutty says in this week's Super Screener. "Sitting a perfect mid-pack trip, reserving all kinds of energy in the process, will be No. 5 High Camp. He has yet to go (this far), but both of his sprint starts were quality efforts showing a lot of balance and professionalism, setting him up for a strong move forward here."

Each race in Super Screener includes selections, analysis and wagering strategy. The Virginia Derby is one of five stakes from four tracks in this week's book. Subscribe today and get four weeks of prep coverage, the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby, and Kentucky Derby week Super Screener plus daily Power Picks and Horses to Single reports.

Beyond High Camp, Super Screener has identified several other price plays in the Virginia Derby, including No. 2 Grittiness, who already has nine-furlong experience, albeit around two turns.

"In this second start off the layoff, look for a significant move forward to land at a Brisnet Speed Rating of around 90," Shutty posits. "He won’t be that far back here, reserving the needed energy to unload over that critical final furlong."

Super Screener is staunchly against favorite Buetane, meaning there is potential for a high payout on this race with 10 entrants.