Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Ohio Derby

Jun 20, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A total of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Thistledown dirt in Saturday’s $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3). The signature race of the meeting is led by Grade 2 victor Catching Freedom, who makes his first run since checking in a clear third in the Preakness S. (G1) most recently for conditioner Brad Cox.

Bred in the Bluegrass State, the $575,000 yearling purchase has never run a poor race in his lifetime and will appreciate the measure of class relief on Saturday. The Constitution colt finished a close fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two back, and anything resembling his last trio of efforts will make him especially tough against this field.

The late runner doesn’t land in a field with a world of pace, but that will be to his benefit as he will have less to do turning for home. Luis Saez, who piloted the three-year-old to a good third in the Risen Star (G2) in his 2024 debut, will be in the stirrups.

Copper Tax is a four-time stakes winner who has been perfectly placed to this stage of his development by conditioner Gary Capuano. The bay son of Copper Bullet has seven wins from 10 lifetime runs in advance of this and comes off of a pair of strong two-turn stakes wins as of late. The Kentucky-bred ran down a clear leader in the Federico Tesio S. in his latest endeavor and comes in fresh following a nice string of morning drills. I expect him to be forwardly placed from the start.

Withers Stakes winner Uncle Heavy has excuses for his pair of unplaced races in succession and will offer good value for conditioner Butch Reid. The bay son of Social Inclusion had little chance in the Preakness while well back early on, but the colt owns enough tactical speed to stay in range somewhat in this contest at a fair price. He gets back with regular pilot Mychel Sanchez, and the Pennsylvania-bred will be a menacing figure late with something like his best showing in his local bow.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #8 Catching Freedom on top of #4 Copper Tax and #5 Uncle Heavy in the 2024 Ohio Derby is the Best Bet of the Week.