2024 Indiana Derby at a Glance

Racing
Indiana Derby, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Eclipse Sportswire
Horses leave the starting gate at the beginning of the 2023 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. (Eclipse Sportswire)

There are Derbys and then there’s the Kentucky Derby. While Saturday’s Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis may not have thc clout of the run for the roses, it does offer a lucrative purse as well as a chance for a 3-year-old to establish himself as a candidate for Grade 1 tests such as the Draftkings Travers Stakes or the Pennsylvania Derby later in the year.

Indiana Derby

Racetrack: Horseshoe Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Ind.

Date: July 6

Purse: $300,000

Distance: 1 1/16 miles

Race: 12

Post Time: 6:41 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Cupid (2016), Lookin At Lucky (2010), Misremembered (2009), Brass Hat (2004), Perfect Drift (2002), Orientate (2001).

First held: 1995

1. Woodcourt (12-1 morning-line odds): Ran in stakes in his last three starts and lost by a combined total of 26 ¾ lengths. Will need a much-improved effort to be a main factor here.

JOCKEY: Emmanuel Esquivel; TRAINER: Cipriano Contreras

2. Stronghold (7-2): The Santa Anita Derby winner makes his first start since finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby. He’s worked sharply for his return to the races and looks like the one to beat.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

3. Real Men Violin (10-1): Was third in the Texas Derby and second in the Illinois Derby. He has the Kentucky Derby-winning tandem of Brian Hernandez Jr. and Ken McPeek going for him and has the looks of a 3-year-old who belongs in the superfecta here.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

4. Kitty Hawk (20-1): Two fifth-place finishes in his two starts against winners does not inspire confidence. He’s also entered as a main-track-only starter in a turf allowance race at Ellis Park Saturday.

JOCKEY: Fernando De La Cruz; TRAINER: Victoria Oliver

5. Informed Patriot (6-1): Had a tough trip when ninth in the Texas Derby and can bounce back with a better try here. Was fifth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana  Jr.; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

6. Sir Greylind (8-1): He’s been formidable in starter-allowance company but steps up in class here. Won his first try around two turns decisively, yet this is a tougher spot.

JOCKEY: Corey Lanerie; TRAINER: Grant Forster

E J Won the Cup winning Turf Paradise Derby. (Coady Photography)

7. E J Won the Cup (5-1): Won the Texas Derby with a nice closing kick as he took a nice step forward from finishing third in the Santa Anita Derby. Should be a major player.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

8. Dragoon Guard (8-5): Will get tested for class here off solid allowance and maiden wins in Kentucky. Has enough speed to offset the outside post and should be able to make his presence felt in this field.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox

THE PICK: Stronghold

LIVE LONGSHOT: Real Men Violin

SUPERFECTA: 2-7-8-3


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