Dynever Favored in Texas

A week before the Preakness, the colt some believe may turn out to be the best member of the 3-year-old class will make his fourth career start in the $500,000 Lone Star Derby at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Dynever, a son of Dynaformer, is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the 1 1/8-mile race, which is a Grade III, as he tries for his third win. Owned by Catherine Willis and Peter Karches and trained by Christophe Clement, Dynever, one of 13 entered, will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Should he win today, Dynever could enter the Belmont Stakes in four weeks.

From the inside out, the favorite will be opposed by Desert Spirit, Gentlemen J J, Crowned King, Defrere’s Vixen, Grendel, Leo’s Last Hurrahy, Most Feared, Crowned Dancer, Mr. Technique (winner of last month’s California Derby on a sloppy surface at Bay Meadows), Commander’s Affair, On The Border and Mauk Four.

Race of the day: Say Florida Sandy, the richest New York-bred ever with more than $2 million in earnings, is among seven entrants in the $100,000 Bold Ruler Handicap at six furlongs.

One for the road: Grand Fan, a 3-year-old daughter of Lear Fan, can come right back in today’s seventh at Churchill Downs after an impressive debut win April 17 at Gulfstream Park. She has seven opponents in the $43,500 allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Pat Day will ride for owners Irving and Marjorie Cowan and trainer Pat Byrne.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Total Impact and Palmeiro in the eighth, singling Solitario in the ninth and using Sing Because, Ditch’em, Light It Up and Flying Rudolph in the 10th.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: /30. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17/$156.80. Total money bet: $206.