Though the series of Triple Crown events has concluded, the racing season continues to offer substantial opportunities for 3-year-old horses. The Grade 3 Indiana Derby, scheduled for Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, serves as a prime example. Success in this race could significantly elevate a contender’s prospects for participation in major Grade 1 races later in the summer season.
1. Publisher (5-1 morning-line odds): Encountered bumping and failed to perform optimally on a rain-affected track during the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Prior to that, demonstrated a commendable second-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. A similar performance here would position him as a notable challenger.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
2. Master Controller (15-1): Expected to show improvement following a swift maiden victory at 6 ½ furlongs in his most recent appearance. Had not achieved a placing better than fifth in previous races.
JOCKEY: Christopher Emigh; TRAINER: Brittany Vanden Berg
3. Coal Battle (7-2): Has competed against some of the leading 3-year-olds, securing placements in significant Grade 1 stakes. Achieved a third-place finish in his latest race, the Matt Winn Stakes, and also finished third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby two races prior. The Hickory entrant should be a factor in this contest.
JOCKEY: Corey Lanerie; TRAINER: Lonnie Briley
4. Shan (30-1): Coming off two consecutive second-place finishes in $50,000 claiming races over six furlongs. Appears to be at a disadvantage.
JOCKEY: Evin Roman; TRAINER: Ed Moger Jr.
5. Chunk of Gold (6-1): Warrants serious consideration for exotic wagers such as exactas and trifectas. Managed a second-place finish in the Ohio Derby in his last start, and the only occasion in six career starts where he finished worse than second was in the Kentucky Derby, where he placed ninth. Expected to finish strongly in the final stretch. Update: Marcus Hersh of Daily Racing Form has indicated that Chunk of Gold will be withdrawn from the Indiana Derby to focus on another stakes race for 3-year-olds in the coming weeks.
JOCKEY: Jareth Loveberry; TRAINER: Ethan West
6. Tip Top Thomas (6-1): Faces a significant challenge here. Secured a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes in his second career start back in the fall of 2024, subsequently experiencing a period of inactivity. Resumed racing with a fourth-place finish in a sprint and followed up with a victory in an allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct in his most recent start. Deserves careful assessment in this field.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
7. Big Truzz (9-2): Venturing into two-turn racing for the first time, following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun at seven furlongs. Has been training impressively for this event and warrants attention.
JOCKEY: Declan Cannon; TRAINER: Brian Lynch
8. Brotha Keny (12-1): Has achieved two victories in two starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but will need to demonstrate considerable improvement in class to be competitive here.
JOCKEY: Joseph Ramos; TRAINER: William Morey
9. Instant Replay (4-1): Coming off consecutive stakes victories for a successful stable. The unfavorable outside post could present difficulties, but with a smooth race, he will be difficult to defeat.
JOCKEY: Luan Machado; TRAINER: Brad Cox
THE SELECT: Instant Replay
POSSIBLE DARK HORSE: Chunk of Gold
ORDER FOR SUPERFECTA: 9-5-1-3
