$75,000 Twilight Derby Returns After 2 Year Break

Smooth Daddy is the 7/2 morning line favorite for trainer Thomas Albertrani, and will be making his first start since a third place effort in the grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont on October 4.  Prior to that effort, Smooth Daddy ran second in the grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga.  The son of Scat Daddy has recorded two wins in twelve career starts on the turf, and could be viewed as a vulnerable favorite given his tendency to settle for minor awards.  Albertrani connects at just 11% with runners returning from similar layoffs. 

Other Cheek should be tough 

Other Cheek (4/1 ML) looks to be finding his best form after recording a career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure in his last start while earning a runner-up finish in the grade 3 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs November 14 behind the highly regarded Heart to Heart.  In six career starts – all on turf – Other Cheek has two wins, two seconds and a third place finish.  The Arnaud Delacour trainee has plenty of early speed and should use his inside post to work out a favorable trip.

Outside posts could be live  

Wallyanna (15/1) and Bashart (10/1) drew the 13th and 14th post positions respectively, but both are capable of winning at fat prices if they are able to work out ground-saving trips.