Sunland Derby Racing Roundup

March Madness and family have me occupied so I’ll make this quick.

The Bellarmine Knights won the NCAA Division II Championship and the Butler Bulldogs are going to the final four. Now if we can get the Kentucky Wildcats there, life will be sweet in the Bluegrass.

Trainer Steve Asmussen sends Astrology to the starting gate today as the 5-2 morning line favorite of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park.

Astrology’s last race was in November where he finished second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G), losing by a half length to Santiva. Despite the four month layoff, I like Astrology in this race. I don’t know if he will win but I believe he will be competitive.

In five starts, Astrology has never been out of the money and he boasts a 2-1-2 record. That’s not too shabby and considering what I read at Steve Haskin’s blog that Astrology compiled that record racing with a blocked epiglottis, which has since been corrected with surgery, that’s even more impressive.

Three long shots I like are Supreme Ruler (20-1), Beer Meister (15-1) and Fusa Code (8-1).

Trainer William Fires ships Supreme Ruler in from Oaklawn Park where he compiled a win and a second-place finish going a route of ground in both races. I like the way Supreme Ruler has been moving forward and I like the progression of his Brisnet Speed Figures.

A bullet work out March 16 should have Supreme Ruler ready to run a good race.

Beer Meister has never been out of the money in four starts and he comes into the race with an impressive 2-2-0 record. Last month, Beer Meister won the Turf Paradise Derby by two lengths covering the 8 ½ -furlongs in a sharp 1:41.99.

I like the chart call of that race: BEER MEISTER broke out, trailed the field far back, bid seven wide, closed with a rush to get up late and drew off.

I look for Beer Meister to be competitive.

Fusa Code was one of my picks in the Borderland Derby and I look for him to move forward off of that race.