Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Santa Anita Derby

Apr 06, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A deep and talented field of nine sophomores will go postward in Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday. The top five finishers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby event will be rewarded with qualifying points toward the Run for the Roses on a 100-40-30-20-10 structure. 

Morning-line choice Practical Move looked every bit the best horse in the San Felipe (G2) while making his 2023 debut, and the colt gets top billing in this storied 1 1/8-mile tilt. He is the Expert Pick of the Week. 
Practical Move has never run poorly in his six-race career but really blossomed toward the end of his juvenile campaign when he powerfully took the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December. The bay son of Practical Joke returned in March and couldn’t have looked much better in his first run off the bench, tracking the pace early while under a tight hold, prior to opening up within a few jumps in the lane and striding home in a powerful display for conditioner Tim Yakteen. 

The $230,000 juvenile purchase has improved with distance and gives every impression of a colt that will handle the extra distance on Saturday with relative ease. The Kentucky-bred bay is equipped with natural early speed, the ability to rate, and a nice closing kick. He shows a trio of very good morning drills in advance of his Grade 1 bow, and the top selection will retain the services of pilot Ramon Vazquez. 

Two-time Grade-1 placed National Treasure will make his first try since being transferred to the Yakteen shedrow and rates an obvious chance. By Quality Road, the $500,000 yearling purchase finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to cap a strong two-year-old season, and the handsome colt was a stubborn third in the Sham (G3) while making his sophomore debut. 
National Treasure has early foot but is something of a grinder, and I feel that the longer the races are, the better it will be for the well-bred colt. Regular rider John Velazquez will be in the silks and figures to have the talented sophomore forwardly placed from the opening bell. 
Expert Pick
An exacta with #5 Practical Move on top of #6 National Treasure in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby is the Best Bet of the Week.

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