Liberty Bull favored in WinStar Derby

Despite drawing the outside post position, Smarty Jones S. winner LIBERTY BULL (Holy Bull) has been installed as a lukewarm 3-1 favorite on the morning line for Sunday's lucrative $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park. Unlike many other Kentucky Derby (G1) preps with lesser purses, the WinStar Derby is not graded, so earnings in this 1 1/8-mile event will not help a horse's chances of getting into the Kentucky Derby if more than 20 are entered.

Trained by Tom Amoss, Liberty Bull gamely proved best in the inaugural running of the one-mile Smarty Jones on Martin Luther King Day at Oaklawn Park. The gray colt returned to finish in a dead-heat for third in the Southwest S. (G3) at the same track and trip in his most recent start on February 18. Eusebio Razo Jr., who rode Liberty Bull in both appearances in Hot Springs, returns in the saddle.

Trainer Steve Asmussen will be represented by PONI COLADA (Volponi) and ABLAZE WITH SPIRIT (American Spirit), who will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr. and Garrett Gomez, respectively. Poni Colada rolled to an eight-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Borderland Derby under Juarez in his last start, while Ablaze with Spirit most recently captured the restricted Jim's Orbit S. by a half-length at Sam Houston Park. Poni Colada and Ablaze with Spirit will be uncoupled in the wagering and are listed at 9-2 and 5-1, respectively, on the morning line.

Southern California shipper WINSOME CHARM (Silver Charm), who finished second to record-setter Bob Black Jack (Stormy Jack) in the Sunshine Millions Dash two back, is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line. The Jeff Mullins trainee will be ridden by Tyler Baze.

CAPE TIME (Cape Canaveral) and NO JEPORDY (Storm Boot), who finished second and third, respectively, in the Borderland Derby, are also entered. Conditioner Bob Baffert will field the maiden SCREEN TO SCREEN (Deputy Wild Cat).

The WinStar Derby field, from the rail out, with jockeys and morning-line odds, consists of Poni Colada; Winsome Charm; Ablaze with Spirit; No Jepordy, Corey Nakatani, 8-1; BANKER'S WAY (Burbank), Jorge Bourdieu, 20-1; CAPETOWN ROYAL (Cape Town), Joe Martinez, 20-1; Cape Time, Ken Tohill, 10-1; DEPUTYVILLE (Deputy Warlock), Glen Murphy, 15-1; Screen to Screen, Aaron Gryder, 8-1; and Liberty Bull.

All starters will carry 122 pounds.