A quick look at today’s derby preps. In the Blue Grass, I am all about GOOD MAGIC . While I’ve heard some disparagement about his comeback race, I mentioned before that he looked like a classic “needed a race” horse, and he woke up and did his best running late. I’m figuring him to be wound much tighter this time out, and Chad Brown is no dummy. I feel like this is free money at 2-1. His 100 beyer at Del Mar is the best in the field, and I expect Good Magic to run back to, if not exceed that, which means the others all need significant improvement to win. The other two I’d use would be Sporting Chance, who could get away on the lead from the inside post, or Kanthaka, who’ll be running late in the event of a pace breakdown.

In the Santa Anita Derby, I’ll urge you to follow photographer Ernie Belmonte on Twitter. Take a look at Justify galloping yesterday, and tell me if you want to run against him. I certainly don’t. I’ve been on the Bolt D’Oro bandwagon all year, but Baffert’s youngster just looks too fit here, and there’s a reason he shipped all the other ones out of town. I expect this to be a match race between the two, and little wagering value on either.

The once- great Wood Memorial now looks like the second string. Enticed is the one to beat, but I’m going to fade the Gotham and go with the lightly raced Restoring Hope. He’s making his third start around two turns, and Flavian Prat sees fit to fly cross country to have a shot at a Derby Mount on a big Stakes day at Santa Anita.

Today’s watch horses – Clear N Convincing at Aqueduct (2nd). Midnight Disguise in the Gazelle, and Restoring Hope.