A field of seven three-year-olds line up with Derby points on the line in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trainer Chad Brown sends out a pair of contenders. Chance McPatrick is the 8-5 morning line favorite, and Hill Road is the 4-1 third choice.
The race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race awarding 50, 25, 15, 10 and 5 points to the first five finishers toward qualifying for the Run for the Roses.
The 12-race card at Tampa Bay Downs kicks off at 12:05 ET. The supporting stakes include the $125,000 Challenger (G3), the $125,000 Columbia, the $225,000 Hillsborough (G2), and the $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3).
Jockey Frankie Dettori is making his Tampa Bay Downs debut on Saturday. He’ll ride Avenue Niel in the Hillsborough, Celtic Motif in the Florida Oaks and Versus in the Columbia, as well as Gold Stamp in the finale.
Iron Bets is offering two daily promotions on the card. Bet $250 or more on the Tampa Bay Derby Day card and earn a $20 free wager. In addition, we have a Money Back Special on the Tampa Bay Derby. Wager up to $20 on your pick in the big race and receive a refund if your pick runs second or third. Sign up at Iron Bets today!
Let’s head to Florida for Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby picks:
Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 The Tampa Bay Derby (G3) Post time 5:34 ET
3 Hill Road 4-1
2 Chance McPatrick 8-5
7 Patch Adams 2-1
1 Owen Almighty 5-1
Hill Road
This colt made his U.S. and dirt debut in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile where he was sent off at 61-1 and came from last to rally to finish third in a race that did not see much early pace. The colt was a dominant winner on turf going a mile over good ground at Leopardstown in his debut and then was seventh in the National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh. Brown takes over the training duties and adds blinkers which should get him into the race quicker and hopefully he breaks more alertly as well.
The BC Juvenile has been a productive race, the winner Citizen Bull winning the Robert B. Lewis (G2) next out. Fourth place finisher Getaway Car was second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and he won the Sunland Derby in his most recent start. Jonathan’s Way came back to running a good second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). Solid works at Payson for his return for Brown who is solid with newcomers to the barn and layoff types. Among the top three here figures to offer the best value for the top spot.
Chancer McPatrick
This guy is also trained by Brown and makes his three-year-old debut after a disappointing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The colt came into that race off three consecutive wins including the Champagne (G1) and Hopeful (G1).
Quick works and he figures to be the one to beat but his price is going to end up on the light side for the top spot.
Patch Adams
The colt earned a big number breaking his maiden in his second career start going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs. Seven he beat came back to run with no winners with a pair running second next out.
Last out at 4-5 in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park he lost a length bobbling coming out of the gate, sat near the back of the pack, made a middle move to get into the mix and then flattened out in the stretch to finish fourth, beaten 2 ½ lengths. He may find the surface here more to his liking. Geroux is back on board with Prat sticking with the morning line favorite.
