Kat Kubik
Staff writer

Mass Cap, 1 1/8 mile, Suffolk Downs

This race is all about Commentator, and most people are just wondering what the margin of victory will be. Commentator (2) will go straight to the front, with Volcanic Force (5) and Riversrunrylee (7) with him. They will be stalked by Won Awesome Dude (3), Cuba (4), and Dr. Pleasure (6). Beck and Call (1) will be the closer.

Behind Commentator, I like the 7-year-old Cuba, who has run 37 times. Last year, he ran solely in the claiming ranks and won one of nine starts. This year, he is back in stakes races and he has won six of nine. He is as good as any of these other horses.

Dr. Pleasure, out of champion older mare Beautiful Pleasure, looks to improve off of a third-place effort in this race last year. He was third in the Travers and fourth in the Jim Dandy in 2006. He is coming off a strong win in an optional claiming, and he figures to be the second betting choice.

Won Awesome Dude has shown some promise, running a close second to Solar Flare in June, and he is coming into the race off of his second stakes win.

Kat’s picks: 2-4-6-3

The Super Derby 1 1/8 Grade 2 Louisiana Downs

Macho Again (3) is by far the most accomplished horse in the Super Derby, with a win in the grade II Jim Dandy over Pyro, and a second in the Preakness behind Big Brown. Do not let his eighth place in the Travers fool you. He not only was caught in a lot of traffic, but he clipped heels. He is much better than that, so cross out that race.

Forest Command (10) is the other horse who is getting attention. He has won his last two races impressively and he is out of the grade one winner, Forest Secrets. He is bred for the distance, but this will be his first start beyond seven furlongs. He is still green, so I will wait to see what he does here before I jump on the bandwagon.

My Pal Charlie (2) has been a consistent graded stakes competitor and he has a nice shot at hitting the board again on Saturday. He will be part of the pace, but he has shown that he can settle behind the leaders.

Real Appeal (8) came from far back in the West Virginia Derby to get within three lengths of the leaders. He has won two stakes in Texas and if he can sit just a little closer, he could surprise at 12-1.

Star Production (7), Numismatist (6) and Golden Yank (9) are the top three finishers in the Prelude at Louisiana Downs, so they will have the advantage of recent experience on the track.

Rounding out the field are Stungbythestorm (1), Mambo Meister (4) and King Darius (5).

Kat’s picks: 8-3-10-2