by Dustin Fabian
June 19, 2025
The Lead:
With the Triple Crown in the rearview mirror, and with the big name sophomores targeting races like the Jim Dandy, Haskell and Travers, the ‘regional Derby’ circuit kicks off with the Ohio Derby at Thistledown. The $500,000 purse did its job in attracting Triple Crown participants like Clever Again and Chunk of Gold, along with a myriad of new shooters looking to make their mark.
Field Depth:
Four of the ten runners have finished 1st or 2nd in a stakes race, with stakes winners Clever Again and Mo Plex taking on graded stakes runner-ups Chunk of Gold and McAfee. Those four are strictly the class. Like any of the races on the ‘regional Derby’ circuit, a few local longshots round out the field.
Pace:
Clever Again set a fast pace in the Preakness and won Oaklawn’s Hot Springs Stakes in gate-to-wire fashion. Without much speed to his inside, expect him to be on the lead once again. He should face more than token pressure from MO PLEX, which would ensure no running styles are severely disadvantaged.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
#1 BRERTON’S BAYTOWN (30/1) – Son of Upstart has been given multiple opportunities to show his mettle at racing’s highest levels, having competed in the G2 Rebel (8th), G1 Arkansas Derby (5th) and G3 Peter Pan (8th). He was beaten double digit lengths in each race and simply appears overmatched against this caliber of field.
#2 CHUNK OF GOLD (7/2) – All considered, he had a great trip when finishing 9th in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 29/1. Despite an outside draw, Jareth Loveberry guided him to a (relatively) ground saving trip and he was simply outrun by better horses that day. Prior runner-up performances in the G2 Louisiana Derby and G2 Risen Star indicate this one has a higher ceiling than most, and horses exiting the Kentucky Derby have finished Top 3 in the Ohio Derby in 10-of-13 tries over the last 10 runnings (COVID year excluded).
#3 CAPO LUCA (10/1) – Appears to be the best of the local hopes for conditioner Kim Puhl, who is off to a scintillating 18-for-43 start at the meet (42% winners), which started in mid-April. This one is 3-for-3 locally, having reeled off three allowance wins between May 6 and June 11. Unfortunately, over the last 10 years (2020 excluded), horses that made their last start in Ohio are 0-for-13 in this race, with no finishes better than 5th.
#4 MCAFEE (3/1) – Added blinkers last out in the G3 Peter Pan and responded with a career-best performance, beaten just 3/4-length by Hill Road. He continues to improve with each start and has logged five workouts since the Peter Pan, including a local work on June 17 to acclimate to the track. Johnny Velazquez seeks his 2nd Ohio Derby win, having previously won this race in 1991 aboard Private Man.
#5 EXTRADITION (20/1) – Local runner would need to buck the recent trend of poor performances by Ohio-based horses if he was to outrun his odds on Saturday. Ohio-based runners have not finished better than 5th in the last 10 editions (2020 excluded), and not much on this one’s resume indicates a major turnaround is expected.
#6 CLEVER AGAIN (9/5) - His Preakness troubles are well documented, but what is worth noting is this speedster went out quicker than it seemed that day as his opening 6f time was quicker than the final time of any of that day’s three sprint races at that distance. Preakness alums have performed well in this race, with two wins and five top three efforts in the last 10 editions (2020 excluded). He’ll be a heavy favorite and the one they need to catch and pass.
#7 BOHEMIAN STYLE (30/1) – Was claimed for $12,500 out of his race at Presque Isle Downs on June 11 and it would be shocking if he was competitive in this spot.
#8 CURVINO (12/1) – Mike Smith seeks an Ohio Derby victory aboard this son of Vino Rosso for trainer Peter Miller. This one is just 1-for-12 in his career, the lone victory coming in an expensive maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs. His only stakes effort was an even sixth in the G3 Jeff Ruby at Turfway. He’s cross-entered to run on Friday at Churchill Downs, so keep an eye on his participation there.
#9 MASTER CONTROLLER (20/1) – Went gate-to-wire to win a $100K maiden claiming event at Churchill Downs last out for trainer Brittany Vanden Berg and jockey Chris Emigh. This represents a huge step up in class, but he is moving in the right direction. Both distance and class appear against him, though.
#10 MO PLEX (6/1) – Speedy NY-bred has never been around two turns and has never raced longer than one mile, which puts him in a tough spot from a potentially problematic outside draw on Saturday. Did run 3rd in the G1 Champagne last fall against Chancer McPatrick, but would need to put away Clever Again and slam the door on the closers to win.
Most Certain Exotics Contender:
Chunk of Gold has finished 1st or 2nd in 4-of-5 races and is drawn inside today. He should sit a midpack trip and will be in the conversation late.
Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
Peter Miller’s Curvino is 12/1 ML and appears to be the ‘best of the rest’ by a significant margin. Ultimately, we don’t envision a shocking result, however.
Sending it in ($100 Bankroll):