Indiana Derby Picks and Preview

Last seen contesting the final two legs of the Triple Crown, Cherry Wine has been made the morning line favorite in the 12-horse Indiana Derby field at odds of 5-2. One of several deep closers in the field, Cherry Wine gets the nod from the oddsmakers partially due to his runner-up finish in the Preakness Stakes and the elevated level of competition he has faced compared ot most of these. However, he's had his best success running on off tracks, and he's not likely to get that Saturday.

Star Hill will have to overcome the outside post

Breaking from the outside gate at 6-1 is Star Hill. Another that likes to come from way back, he has arguably faced much the same quailty of runners in his last few as Cherry Wine, and although short on wins, he has been on the fringes in most of his recent graded-stakes efforts, and if there is any kind of pace to run at, he stands to pick up his second career lifetime win here. Although stepping up to graded-stakes company for the first time, The Player (6-1) has looked solid in winning his last two rating just off the pace, and has the speed to be a factor. 

OTB Indiana Picks 

1) #12 Star Hill

2) #5 The Player

3) #2 Cherry Wine

4) #11 Cupid