Upstart Colts With Something to Prove in $200,000 American Derby

The American Derby, run at a mile and three sixteenths on the grass is the local prep race for the Grade I Secretariat Stakes August 16 on Million Day.  The premier grass race for three year-olds in America, this year’s renewal of the American Derby has attracted a field of ten led by 3/1 morning line favorite Schoolofhardrocks who ships in from California for trainer David Hoffmans while making his third start on turf and third career route.  

California shipper tabbed as ML favorite 

Schoolofhardrocks exits a mile and eighth allowance score at Santa Anita that saw him post a field-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure.  The son of Rock Hard Ten will break from post number four with Victor Espinoza taking the mount. Espinoza has not ridden the colt since his career debut win at Del Mar.  He figures to face a stern test from 7/2 second choice Divine Oath who could enjoy the added ground after running a late-closing fourth in the Penn Mile.

Promising turfer steps up for Catalano 

The lone Euro invader is Our Channel (6/1 ML) who hadn’t run a bad race until a 13th place finish in a group I race in Great Britain in his last start.  Highball (8/1 ML) looks like an interesting outsider for Chicago-based trainer Wayne Catalano after a sharp maiden special weight score going a mile and an eighth at Churchill Downs where he overcame a poor start to win going away in a field of eleven.    He will face the class test in the American.