Horse Race Preview: Race 8 – Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park

Track: Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, Henderson, KY
Date & Time: Sunday, August 10, 2025 – Race 8, Post Time: 3:12 PM CT
Distance: 1 mile (Dirt)
Purse: $300,000
Eligibility: 3-year-olds
Significance: Premier summer stakes for sophomores; often attracts late-developing colts and geldings aiming for fall graded stakes campaigns

Field & Morning Line Snapshot

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds	Notable Info
1	Brodeur	Jaime A. Torres	Ethan W. West	20-1	Nyquist colt; longshot with local ties
2	Sinister Smile	Edgar Morales	Genaro Garcia	15-1	Practical Joke colt; consistent placer
3	Jimmy’s Dailys	Mario Gutierrez	Brian A. Lynch	5-1	Vekoma colt; stakes-placed
4	Retribution	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Cherie DeVaux	9-2	Vekoma colt; 2 wins from 4 starts
5	Master Controller	Christopher Emigh	Brittany Vanden Berg	20-1	Tapiture colt; needs pace setup
6	Big Truzz	Tyler Gaffalione	Brian A. Lynch	5-2	Justify colt; 3rd in G1 Woody Stephens
7	Big Boat	Orlando Mojica	James DiVito	10-1	Nyquist colt; improving form
8	Admiral Dennis	Luan Machado	Brad Cox	8-5	Constitution colt; won Delaware Derby

Contender Insights

Admiral Dennis (8-5 Favorite)

Pedigree: Constitution × Gulf Coast

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luan Machado

Form: Won $200K Delaware Derby by 3¼ lengths

Notes: Class edge; tactical speed; Cox barn firing

Big Truzz (5-2)

Pedigree: Justify × Saralin

Trainer: Brian Lynch

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Form: 3rd in G1 Woody Stephens; 6th in Indiana Derby

Notes: Dangerous if he handles two turns

Retribution (9-2)

Pedigree: Vekoma × Granny’s Drink

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Form: 2 wins from 4 starts; improving colt

Notes: Stalker type with upside

Strategic Outlook

Pace Scenario: Master Controller and Big Boat may push early; Admiral Dennis and Retribution likely to stalk; Big Truzz could sit mid-pack.

Track Bias: Ellis Park mile favors tactical speed and outside closers.

X-Factor: Jimmy’s Dailys has back class and could surprise with a clean trip.