The Ohio Derby is one of the most highly anticipated horse racing events in the Midwest, drawing in thousands of spectators each year. This year’s race is set to take place on June 26th at Thistledown Racino in North Randall, Ohio. With a purse of $500,000, the Ohio Derby is a major event for three-year-old thoroughbreds looking to make a name for themselves in the racing world.
As the race draws near, two horses have emerged as favorites in the odds, picks, and predictions: Keepmeinmind and Promise Keeper. Both horses are trained by Phil D’Amato, hence the nickname “Two Phil’s Favored.”
Keepmeinmind, ridden by jockey David Cohen, has been a consistent performer in his career so far. He finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year. He also finished second in the Rebel Stakes earlier this year. Keepmeinmind has shown an ability to run well on both dirt and synthetic surfaces, which could give him an advantage in the Ohio Derby.
Promise Keeper, ridden by jockey Luis Saez, is coming off a win in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. He has won three of his five career starts and has shown a lot of potential. Promise Keeper has a strong pedigree, with his sire being Constitution and his dam being a half-sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
While Keepmeinmind and Promise Keeper are the favorites, there are several other horses in the field that could pull off an upset. King Fury, ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., won the Lexington Stakes earlier this year and has shown an ability to run well on dirt. Masqueparade, ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, finished second in the Matt Winn Stakes and could be a contender as well.
As with any horse race, there are many factors that could impact the outcome of the Ohio Derby. The weather, track conditions, and the horses’ health and form on race day will all play a role in determining the winner. However, Keepmeinmind and Promise Keeper have both shown a lot of promise in their careers so far and are certainly worth keeping an eye on in this year’s Ohio Derby.
