The last chance for 3-year-old males to contest a dirt route stakes is the Zia Park Derby on Tuesday at Zia Park, and it is a classic east-versus-west battle in the land of enchantment.

Indispensible ships in from Santa Anita for trainer John Sadler and is the 5-2 morning-line favorite off a couple of stakes placings after finally breaking his maiden in career start number nine.

No disrespect to either Hector Berrios or Reylu Gutierrez, but Flavien Prat taking the mount draws attention off a speed-and-fade third-place finish last out in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby. I am more concerned that Prat’s presence will attract money, though. And although either of those stakes tries is competitive here, neither was the type of effort that scares me from betting elsewhere.

Generous Tipper interests me most. I wish this were 1 1/8 miles as Generous Tipper’s last two wins were, but there is a lot to like from that Discovery Stakes win last out when Generous Tipper chased a fast pace and edged away from Tuscan Sky. He should be able to get good position from the outside and is the most likely winner.

Of the longer shots, I’d give Woodcourt a look if he’s above his morning-line price. He’s an improved horse since trying stakes earlier this year to no avail. If he takes control of the race from the rail, then he could surprise, but I’ll pay to find out only at a big price.