Dragoon Guard is the morning-line favourite

The Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday features a strong lineup, headlined by morning-line favourite Dragoon Guard, trained by Brad Cox. Dragoon Guard, an undefeated grey son of Arrogate, steps into stakes action for the first time in his career after two impressive wins in Kentucky. Florent Geroux, who rode Cox's 2020 Indiana Derby winner Shared Sense, will be aboard Dragoon Guard from post 8 at odds of 8-5.

Another major contender is Stronghold, making his return after starting in this year's Kentucky Derby. Trained by Philip D’Amato and ridden by Antonio Fresu, Stronghold will break from post 2 at 7-2 odds. The son of Ghostzapper, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), has three career wins and more than $682,000 in earnings.

E J Won the Cup, trained by Doug O’Neill and ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, comes to the Indiana Derby off a win in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star. The Omaha Beach colt, who finished third to Stronghold in the Santa Anita Derby, is set to start from post 7 at 5-1 odds.

The Indiana Oaks (G3) for $200,000 will also take place on the same day, featuring Impel from Cox's barn as the early morning-line favourite at 7-5 odds from post 7. Unraced at 2, Impel enters the race after a second-place finish in the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and has consistently finished on the board in four career starts. Geroux will also ride Impel, aiming for Cox's third Indiana Oaks win in four years, following successes with Interstatedaydream in 2022 and Shedaresthedevil in 2020, the latter of whom won the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Overall, Indiana's biggest day of horse racing promises thrilling competition across eight races, with top trainers and jockeys vying for the prestigious titles.