Expert Pick of the Week: Los Alamitos Derby

Jul 02, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A compact but talented field of five will contest Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3). The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 20-8-4-2 basis towards the Run for the Roses on September 5.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Anneau d’Or has failed to hit the board from a trio of graded races in 2020, but the sophomore has shown steady improvement this campaign and looks to be sitting on a big race on Saturday. The son of Medaglia d’Oro is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Trained by Blaine Wright, the $480,000 2-year-old purchase was a winner on debut on the turf at Golden Gate prior to his fine showing at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup when missing by a head. In his juvenile finale, the Kentucky-bred ran another big one in finishing a neck second on this surface in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

The bay didn’t fire in the Risen Star (G2) to commence his 3-year-old season, but he did show some improvement in the subsequent Arkansas Derby (G1), and his fourth in the recent Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind the fantastic Honor A. P. was an encouraging sign. He shows two solid morning drills leading up to his return to Los Alamitos, too.

Anneau d’Or drew the perfect slot outside of the Los Alamitos Derby field, which will give pilot Victor Espinoza options from the start. The colt has the early presence to be forcing the pace from the opening bell, and he should parlay his tactical speed into a perfect voyage to the top of the stretch.

The top selection is moving in the right direction, he has an affinity for the surface, and the colt possesses both the right running style and post position to receive a great trip, as well.

Anneau d’Or winning the Los Alamitos Derby is the Best Bet of the Week.