Horse Racing Fantasy Community

Aaron Gryder Says:

All eyes will be on The Factor in Saturdays Grade 1 $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. He dominated last month\'s Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel in front running fashion but is likely to get a little more pace pressure this time around and now has to go an extra 1/16th of a mile, so it may not be such a cakewalk this time; still he is a standout here but not invincible. Sway Away got within 3/4 of a length of him in the 7 furlong San Vicente Stakes over at Santa Anita, closing with each and every stride, something which he couldn\'t duplicate in the Rebel. He did get into a little trouble into the first turn, and if he can avoid trouble, and gets the right pace setup, he could cause the upset. Five horses that were beaten by the favorite in the Rebel are back for more, including second and third place finishers Calebs Posse and Archracharach, and they need to make up the 6+ length difference this time. Saratoga Red, J W Blue, J P\'s Gusto also came out of the Rebel but finished out of the money, and they may apply pace pressure to The Factor this time. Nehro almost won the G2 Louisiana Derby at 36-1 last out and was closing well but came up a neck short, and Elite Alex exits that race as well, having finished fourth. Brethren is coming off a third place finish in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby and has Pletcher and Dominguez in his corner. Trumans Commander comes off a six length maiden win, Alternation has won three straight but tries stakes company for the first time, and longshot Dance City is coming off a pretty nice allowance win at Gulfstream Park.