A strong field, including three Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve starters, will contest Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Many bettors will favor the name recognition of the Kentucky Derby alumni, but #6 Tip Top Thomas might be the most likely winner.

Tip Top Thomas showed promise as a 2-year-old last year. He won his debut sprinting at Saratoga over a quality field including future Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty. Then he finished a pace-pressing second in the one-mile Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. He was beaten only by two-time Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick, and he pulled 4 ¾ lengths clear of third-place finisher Mo Plex, who recently won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby.

Tip Top Thomas (Chelsea Durand/NYRA)

Following a six-month layoff, Tip Top Thomas finished a subpar fourth in an April 8 sprint at Keeneland. But he returned to form in a one-mile $100,000 allowance optional claiming race on May 25 at Aqueduct. After leading through pace fractions of :23.24, :46.26, and 1:10.61, Tip Top Thomas blazed his final quarter-mile in :23.96 to win by 3 ¼ lengths over Grade 3 Gotham Stakes runner-up Sand Devil.

That fast finish suggests Tip Top Thomas has upside to run even better in the Indiana Derby, which marks his first start in a two-turn race. If #2 Master Controller leads the way while breaking from an inside post, Tip Top Thomas can secure a perfect trip pressing the pace in second place before taking command around the far turn and down the homestretch.

Bettors playing the Indiana Derby on a small budget should consider placing a straightforward win bet on Tip Top Thomas, who carries attractive 6-1 morning-line odds. But if you want to spend more and chase a bigger payoff, consider adding a trifecta using #3 Coal Battle, #5 Chunk of Gold, #7 Big Truzz, and #9 Instant Replay for second and/or third place.

Coal Battle finished 11^th in the Kentucky Derby and recently ran third in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes. Chunk of Gold came home ninth in the Kentucky Derby, then bounced back to be second in the Ohio Derby. Big Truzz is stretching out in distance off a solid third in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun, and Instant Replay exits back-to-back wins in the Bathhouse Row Stakes and Texas Derby.

Wagering Strategy on a $12 Budget

$12 to win on #6 Tip Top Thomas

What to say at the betting window: Horseshoe Indianapolis, 12^th race, $12 to win on 6

Wagering Strategy on a $36 Budget

$18 to win on #6 Tip Top Thomas

What to say at the betting window: Horseshoe Indianapolis, 12^th race, $18 to win on 6

$2 trifecta: 6 with 3,5,9 with 3,5,7,9 ($18)

What to say at the betting window: Horseshoe Indianapolis, 12^th race, $2 trifecta 6 with 3,5,9 with 3,5,7,9

Good luck, and enjoy the race!