Big Derby Prep Weekend Coming Up

The real running for the Kentucky Derby starts this weekend with:

• The rain-delayed Grade II Robert Lewis at Santa Anita
• Grade III Sam F. Davis at Tampa
• Oaklawn's Grade III Southwest

Of the three races the Southwest holds the most intrigue with three defectors from the Left Coast coming aboard (Conveyance, Cardiff Giant and Domonation), last year's Hopeful winner, Dublin, Smarty Jones Stakes winner, Dryfly and an impressive maiden winner from the Big A, Moojab. Among the questions waiting answers:

• Can the top three from the San Rafael duplicate their form?
• Will Conveyance and/or Dryfly be able to cover the 1 mile distance together?
• Is Dublin back to his Saratoga form following surgery?

Both the Lewis and Davis look like two-horse races. American Lion (thanks for the correction Amateurcapper) and Tiz Chrome at Santa Anita and Uptowncharlybrown and Rule at Tampa.

A few more pieces to the Derby puzzle will come into place this weekend...maybe? It should be fun watching.