Southland’s Video Ranger Favored

Southland-based Video Ranger, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, drew the No. 10 post position Friday and was the early favorite to win the $500,000 Jersey Derby Monday.

The 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds at Garden State Park attracted 10 other Kentucky Derby runners, Southland-based Real Cash and Killer Diller and Yonder.

Video Ranger and Killer Diller are expected to run in the Belmont Stakes June 9, and good trips in the Jersey Derby will probably ensure their participation in the final of the Triple Crown.

All three Derby horses skipped the Preakness last weekend.

“We would have liked the seventh or eighth post position, but we think we did good anyway,” said Philip Oliver, assistant trainer of Video Ranger.

“It didn’t bother us we didn’t get that, He’s in his best shape ever. He got into lots of trouble in the Derby and still caught lots of horses in the stretch.”