Max Player (15-1)

Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.

Current Form: Ran home 3rd in the Belmont Stakes then 3rd again in the Travers, both won by Tiz The Law. Won the Withers 3 races back.

Worth a wager?: Max has proven to be a Player in this year’s triple crown. Runs for new trainer Steve Asmussen and new rider Ricardo Santana. Putting him 5th.

Enforceable (23-1)

Trainer: Mark E. Casse

Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Current Form: Was a wide 5th in the Louisiana Derby then a wider 4th in the Blue Grass. Won the shorter grade 3 Lacomte back in January.

Worth a wager?: Casse trained gray finishes with good energy and may benefit stretching out. How many can he run down? A few. Midpack 10th.

Storm the Court (22-1)

Trainer: Peter Eurton

Jockey: Julien R. Leparoux

Current Form: The 2019 Breeders Cup Juvenile champ is 0 for 5 in his three-year-old campaign. Ran 3rd as favorite in the Ohio Derby in his last dirt start.

Worth a wager?: Lack of success for the BC winner led to a start on the lawn where he ran a promising 2nd. May see him on the turf this fall. 14th today.

see also

Major Fed (28-1)

Trainer: Gregory D. Foley

Jockey: James Graham

Current Form: Racing form read “in tight..wide..brushed” but he still managed to finish well to place 2nd in the Indiana Derby. Respectable 4th in the Louisiana.

Worth a wager?: Not sure the odds would be much different if he won at Indiana. Working well at Churchill Downs. Not sure if that matters either. 13th.

Money Moves (14-1)

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Current Form: He’s 2 for 3 but is the only horse in the field who has never mingled with stakes company. Got beat a neck at Spa stretching to 9 furlongs.

Worth a wager?: Pletcher makes him Run for the Roses after he pulled down a fat fig in defeat. Moves early; retreats late. 9th.

South Bend (36-1)

Trainer: William I. Mott

Jockey: Gaffalione

Current Form: Ran 4th at 32-1, well back of Tiz The Law in the Travers. Close 2nd in the Ohio Derby two races back. Has two wins at Churchill Downs.

Worth a wager?: Conditioned by Mott who won last year’s Derby via DQ. 0 for 8 this year but has one speed and may pass tired rivals as he did in the Travers. Putting him 7th.

Mr. Big News (43-1)

Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun

Jockey: Gabriel Saez

Current Form: Won a 200k at 46-1 over a sloppy surface at Oaklawn. Followed that shocker with a less shocking 6th in the Blue Grass.

Worth a wager?: Had a couple of excuses at Keeneland (stumbling start, traffic) which may have contributed to his invisible showing. An uneventful 11th.

see also

Thousand Words (9-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffret

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Current Form: Baffert’s colt was a gutsy, game, wire to wire winner in a 100k at Del Mar. Held off heavily favored Honor A.P., earning a triple digit fig.

Worth a wager?: If the Derby was run in May he wouldn’t be here. Lost to Mr Big News in the mud in April. Peakin at the right time. Speed carries him to 4th place finish.

Necker Island (41-1)

Trainer: Chris A. Hartman

Jockey: Miguel Mena

Current Form: Took home 3rd money in both the Indiana and Ellis Park Derbys. Another longshot who has a pair of victories at Churchill Downs.

Worth a wager?: Nothing special. Shows up every time he runs but who has he faced? Upgrade in competition leaves him 16th.

Sole Volante (21-1)

Trainer: Patrick L. Biancone

Jockey: Luca Panici

Current Form: Campaign started well. Won the Sam F. Davis, then a strong 2nd to King Guillermo in the Tampa Derby. But he never showed up in the Belmont.

Worth a wager?: If the Derby was run in May he would have been a contender. Switch hitter is 2 for 2 on turf and that’s where you may see him next start. 8th.

Attachment Rate (47-1)

Trainer: Dale L. Romans

Jockey: Joseph Talamo

Current Form: Was 2nd best in the Ellis Park, about 5 lengths better than Necker Island, which isn’t saying much. Non-threatening 5th in the Blue Grass.

Worth a wager?: Can’t believe trainer Dale Romans entered the Virginia bred thinking he could win off his recent history. A share? Don’t get attached. 12th.

Winning Impression (42-1)

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Jockey: Joseph Rocco, Jr.

Current Form: Is a not so impressive 1 for 9 after running to his odds of 71-1 in the Ellis Park.

Worth a wager?: Getting the impression that he has the wrong name. Runs well in the slop…but the forecast calls for sunny skies. Last of 17.

see also

NY Traffic (17-1)

Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph. Jr.

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Current Form: Sat off Authentic in the Haskell and surged in the final 1/16th only to miss by a nose. Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby and Matt Winn as well.

Worth a wager?: Close, closer, then a photo short in his last 3 starts. Attractive morning line but believe he takes a step back here. A retreating 6th.

Honor AP (8-1)

Trainer: John A. Shirreffs

Jockey: Mike E. Smith

Current Form: Santa Anita Derby winner was upset by Thousand Words at Del Mar next out. He’s a career 2 for 5, never worse than 2nd.

Worth a wager?: Of course. Even though his connections were stunned by his loss to “1,000 Words,” a race thought to be a final tune-up. Placing top contender 3rd.

Tiz the Law (1-1)

Trainer: Barclay Tagg

Jockey: Manuel Franco

Current Form: Awesome! Belmont Stakes champ has won all 4 starts this year. Used quick burst to draw away in the Travers, contested at this distance.

Worth a wager?: Drawings comparisons to American Pharoah. Has another gear that this crop of three-year-olds can’t seem to match. Working like a champ in the a.m. That said we will try to beat him at this unbettable price. 2nd best.

Authentic (9-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: John R. Velazquez

Current Form: Desperately held off NY Traffic to take the Haskell. Career 4 for 5, loss was to Honor AP after racing wide in the Santa Anita Derby.

Worth a wager?: Got away with a :47.2 half mile in the Haskell. Will have to have a higher cruising speed on Derby day. Can Baffert’s best chance get the distance? John Velazquez will be the 1st to know. Winner.