HorseCenter: Indiana Derby and Indiana Oaks top picks

Indiana Derby Draws Nine for Track’s Main Event

The $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) has been set for Saturday night at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana. Inaugurated in 1995, it serves as the track's flagship event and was originally contested across town at Hoosier Park. The race moved to its current location in 2013 where it has remained. The 1 1/16-mile test was upgraded to Grade 3 status in 2002, briefly reached Grade 2 from 2004 to 2016, and returned to Grade 3 in 2017. The race…

Leading Change Headlines Indiana Derby Off 'Rising Star' Debut

Wathnan Racing's Leading Change (Gun Runner), a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' debut winner at Churchill Downs June 7, heads straight to the big leagues for Brad Cox in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby. The $800,000 Keeneland September graduate and half-brother to GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) romped by 6 1/2 lengths in his unveiling going seven furlongs, good for a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. He makes his two-turn debut…

HorseCenter: Indiana Derby and Indiana Oaks top picks

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman offer top picks and analysis for a pair of graded stakes races from Horseshoe Indianapolis. The Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) and the Grade 3, $200,000 Indiana Oaks lead a stakes-filled card on Saturday afternoon.   There was plenty of buzz about Leading Change before he made his first career start. It took a while but when the son of Gun Runner finally made it to the races, he proved…