Classic Causeway will try to establish himself as one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby when he leaves the starting gate in the 2022 Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. He's the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the 2022 Tampa Bay Derby odds. The Todd Pletcher-trained Major General is 9-2 in the 12-horse Tampa Bay Derby field, while the Edward Barker-trained Shipsational is 5-1. Post time for the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby is 5:23 p.m. ET. 

With a large field entering the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir has to say before making any Tampa Bay Derby picks.

A Saratoga Springs-based racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker, Weir is a two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. He has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014. Last year, he was on fire. He hit the exacta in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay Derby and Peter Pan Stakes, the trifecta in the Risen Star Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby and the superfecta in the Belmont Stakes. Those were just some of his scores in 2021.

This year, he has hit a Pick 4 at Gulfstream Park, the trifecta in the Pegasus World Cup, and the exacta in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, among other scores.

Now, Weir has handicapped the 2022 Tampa Bay Derby field, made his picks and constructed his bets.

One surprise: Weir is high on the chances of Giant Game, even though he's a 10-1 long shot on the morning line. "He continues to work fast in the morning and could contend if able to get back to his two-year-old form," Weir told SportsLine. He will be using Giant Game prominently on his tickets.

Weir's top pick is a horse who "has the right tactical speed." He also is high on a big double-digit long shot whom oddsmakers are underestimating! Weir is including these horses in his 2022 Tampa Bay Derby bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own.

What horse wins the 2022 Tampa Bay Derby? And what big double-digit long shot is a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine right now to get the top 2022 Tampa Bay Derby picks and bets, all from the racing insider who nailed last year's Tampa Bay Derby exacta!