The Commish

Greg Johnson Dissects the Derby Trail

Commish Showed Consistency--and Mostly Profit--on 2009 Derby Road

On the road to the 2009 Derby, Greg Johnson previewed 11 races for The Downey Profile. He made Top Four picks in seven races, Top Three picks in three races (after a scratch in one of them), and, due to another scratch, a Top Two pick in one race.

Boxing those picks, Greg hit the exacta in six of the 11 races. A $2 exacta box for the 11 races cost $208; however, due to several short fields and wins by heavy favorites, the return was $157.00. See results shown in BOLD below.

A $1 trifecta box for the 10 races where there were at least three picks cost $186 and returned $399.20. See results shown in BOLD below.

A $1 superfecta box for the seven races with four picks cost $168 and returned $333.60. See results shown in BOLD below.

2009 was Greg's first season with The Downey Profile, and he has returned in 2010.

Greg  and daughter Chloe, both huge racing fans, got out to Santa Anita for Zenyatta's gallop on Dec. 26, opening day.
Yep, that's the runner-up for 2009 Horse of the Year in the background.


Hutcheson Stakes

1. CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Won at 5-2)
2. HELLO BROADWAY (Second at 2-1)
3. BREAK WATER EDISON (Sixth at 5-2)

$2 Exacta paid $21.60                                                                                                                                                                                              
Robert B. Lewis Stakes

1. I WANT REVENGE (Third at 2-1)
2. BITTEL ROAD (Fourth at at 6-1)
3. PIONEEROF THE NILE (Won at 8-5)
4. OIL MAN (Sixth at 14-1)

Papa Clem busted up the exacta and trifecta boxes by finishing second at 17-1.

$2 Exacta paid $76.00
$1 Trifecta paid $100.90
$1 Superfecta paid $338.40


El Camino Real Derby

1. AXEL FOLEY (Fourth at 5-2)
2. CHOCOLATE CANDY (Won at 1-2)
3. MASSONE (Second at 8-1)
4. AQUICKSTING (Fifth at 23-1)

$2 Exacta paid $13.00
$1 Trifecta paid $21.90
No superfecta


San Vicente Stakes

1. LEEDSTHEWAY (Second at 5-1 off a 12-1 morning line)
2. WALL STREET WONDER (Fourth at -- off a 6-1 morning line)
3. GATO GO WIN (Third at 6-1 off a 6-1 morning line)
4. EVITA ARGENTINA (Won at 2-1 off a 5-1 morning line)
Ventana dead-heated for fourth, cutting the superfecta payoff in half

$2 exacta paid $45.20
$1 trifecta paid 127.40
$1 superfecta paid $333.60 and $255.30


Sham Stakes

1. THE PAMPLEMOUSSE (Won at 1-2)
2. SMART BID (Sixth at 9-1)
3. MR. HOT STUFF (Third at 8-1)
4. VENTANA (Scratched)
Take the Points second at 9-2.

$2 Exacta paid $12.60
$1 Trifecta paid $22.10
$1 Superfecta paid $170.60


San Felipe Stakes

1. PIONEEROF THE NILE (Won at 1-5)
2. KELLY LEAK (Scratched)
3. SHAFTED (Fifth at 10-1)
Feisty Suances second at 11-1. Jeranimo third at 14-1.

$2 Exacta paid $14.00
$1 Trifecta paid $36.10
No Superfecta wager


Tampa Bay Derby

1. HELLO BROADWAY (Seventh at 2-1)
2. GENERAL QUARTERS (Fifth at 5-2)
3. BEAR'S ROCKET (Sixth at 12-1)
4. WARRIOR'S REWARD (Eighth at 5-1)
Musket Man won at 5-1.
Join in the Dance second at 35-1.
Justdontcallmejeri third at 43-1.
Nowhere to Hide fourth at 7-1.

$2 Exacta paid $417.40
$1 Trifecta paid $5,116.10
$1 Superfecta paid $34,250.80


UAE Derby

1. NAVAL OFFICER (Sixth at 9-1)
2. DESERT PARTY (Second at 1-5)
3. LELAH DORAK (Fifth at 18-1)
4. REGAL RANSOM (Won at 13-1)

$2 Exacta paid $41.20


Santa Anita Derby

1. THE PAMPLEMOUSSE (Scratched)
2. CHOCOLATE CANDY (Second at 5-2)
3. PIONEEROF THE NILE (Won at 4-5)
4. GALLANT SON (Seventh at 12-1)

$2 Exacta paid $9.20
$1 Trifecta paid $17.70
$1 Superfecta paid $42.10


Arkansas Derby

1. PAPA CLEM (Won at 4-1)
2. OLD FASHIONED (Second at 1-1)
3. SUMMER BIRD (Third at 26-1)
4. FLAT OUT (Sixth at 15-1)
Win Willy fourth at 4-1

$2 Exacta paid $26.80
$1 Trifecta paid $271.80
$1 Superfecta paid $995.30