Races of the Week

Last week, Always First finished second in the Louisville Handicap, paying $4.60 to place and $3.80 to show. Safari Queen finished second to Honey Ryder in the Sheepshead Bay Handicap, paying $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. It's good to see that the trip to Dubai didn't take too much out of Honey Ryder.

Today, the Daily Racing Form's races of the week are the Ohio Derby, which is also Equibase's race of the week, and the Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park.

In the Ohio Derby, I'll bet Forty Grams. Forty Grams had a troubled trip in the Lone Star Derby, his last start. The inside post has been doing well at Thistledown and should help him. Both of his wins have been on the lead, and Thistledown tends to favor early speed. The Form provides free past performances. Former Plain Dealer turf writer Bob Roberts has coverage of the Derby at the Thistledown website.

In the Californian, I'll bet A.P. Xcellent. A.P. Xcellent is moving up in class, but he's the only early speed in the race, and he's undefeated on the main track at Hollywood. I'll also bet an A.P. Xcellent-Perfect Drift exacta. The Form provides free past performances.