Ohio Derby: Copper Tax Looks to Upset Catching Freedom at Thistledown
In the upcoming Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown Racecourse, the Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom is expected to be the heavy favorite, having finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness Stakes. However, handicappers have identified intriguing value elsewhere in the field, particularly with the colt Copper Tax.
Copper Tax, a well-bred 3-year-old trained by Brad Cox, has put together an impressive record, winning 4 of his 6 career starts, including victories in several listed stakes races. Though he has yet to break through at the graded stakes level, having been beaten by a combined 33 lengths in his two previous graded attempts, he has shown steady improvement and could be poised to pull off the upset.
Another contender drawing attention is Batten Down, who looked dominant in winning a 1 1/4-mile maiden race at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week. However, this quick turnaround to the Ohio Derby represents a significant step up in class, and some handicappers are inclined to let him beat them at a potentially short price.
Uncle Heavy, a deep closer like Catching Freedom, could also offer value at his projected 11-1 price, though he may have his work cut out for him trying to catch the class of Catching Freedom.
“Handicapters will be closely monitoring the race shape and track bias at Thistledown, as the local track trends suggest that closers are not compromised in two-turn races, potentially playing to the strengths of Catching Freedom and Uncle Heavy.”
Overall, while Catching Freedom may be the most likely winner, savvy bettors will be looking to capitalize on the potential value offered by Copper Tax and others in this competitive renewal of the Ohio Derby.
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