Its officially Kentucky Derby week passengers and the Conductor hasn’t seen sunlight in days. I am so humbled that he bestows all of his knowledge on us for free. We truly are not worthy. Anyway, he’s crawled out of his capping lair and dropped his Kentucky Oaks Day work on my desk. Rumor has it, a Derby podcast will be up tomorrow too. Let’s pick up a couple hundred thousand Friday and roll it over into Saturday. Skip.

Race 6: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.G3 Modesty Stakes

#2 Didia (5/1) – This Argentinian star has steadily improved with each start in the states. She got the job done for the Conductor last time off the bench in impressive fashion. She draws well today and the Conductor will happily back her vs the Chad Brown favorites off layoffs. If you’re looking for even more value in the trifecta, #1 Sweet Dani Girl (12/1) will be all alone on the lead an can hang round for a piece.

Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.300K Unbridled Sidney Stakes

#2 Salvaje (20/1) – #11 Caravel (4/5) is clearly the one to beat, but she draws a tough outside post and this race is loaded with early speed. Salvaje is steadily progressing and will get a perfect setup. She’s one of the few closers in the field and looks primed to run her best in her 2nd start off a layoff. Even if Caravel is too much for this group, she can inject value by hitting the board.

Race 10: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.G2 Edgewood Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #10 Flashy Gem (10/1) – There is absolutely no speed in this Edgewood and this filly will be all alone on the lead. She romped to break her maiden on the front end last year on turf and has progressed on synthetic since. Her synthetic figures fit with this group and the Conductor sees them translating back to the turf with her breeding. Saez fits this mount perfectly too. He’ll be aggressive early and make them come and get her down the stretch.

Race 11: 1 1/8 F.G1 Longines Kentucky Oaks

#11 Defining Purpose (12/1) – The Conductor has a keen eye on the forecast this weekend. As of now, he thinks the rain will hold off and we’ll have a fast track on Friday. If it does rain, then erase everything you’re about to read from your small brains. This filly was beaten handily by the deserved favorite in this race, #7 Wet Paint (5/2), but both those races were on a sloppy track. Throw out those races and you can see a natural progression to her Ashland win in the form. She looks to get a nice trip again today, sitting just behind a contested early lead. The Conductor thinks she’s improving and her Ashland win wasn’t a fluke. He’ll be keying her in the verticals.

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