In the past month the media has established a consensus early favorite in Union Rags who came off his impressive 2yo season with a an impressive win at Gulfstream. To show how tough the horse racing game is we've seen a few contenders drop off the list with injury....
So here are the Contenders...
Fed Biz
Giant's Causeway - Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Impressive in an optional claiming at Santa Anita. Baffert very high on the colt.
Union Rags
Dixie Union - Tempo, by Gone West
Trainer: Michael Matz
Open length winner in 3yo debut in Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. Last 3f could have been faster though.
Sabercat
Bluegrass Cat - Miner's Blessing, by Forty Niner
Trainer: Steven Asmussen
Training for 3yo debut in San Felipe at Santa Anita on March 10 or may bypass that stacked race and head to the Rebel at Oaklawn.
Gemologist
Tiznow - Crystal Shard, by Mr. Prospector
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Training for 3yo debut possibly Tampa Bay Derby or the Rebel at Oaklawn.
Creative Cause
Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer
Trainer: Mike Harrington
A willing 3rd in 7f San Vincente in a 4 horse field - not sure what this tells us...we will see more in the San Felipe.
El Padrino ☝
Pulpit - Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Hasn't done much wrong - won a 2 turn allowance at Gulfstream Park showing a great late kick - won Risen Star also with nice stretch drive.... will go in either Louisiana Derby or Florida Derby before going to Louisville.
Pulpit - Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Hasn't done much wrong - won a 2 turn allowance at Gulfstream Park showing a great late kick - won Risen Star also with nice stretch drive.... will go in either Louisiana Derby or Florida Derby before going to Louisville.
Ever So Lucky
Indian Charlie - Bally Storm, by Summer Squall
Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard
Trainer admits that isn't sure that colt is a Derby horse and that distance may be an issue...but could be a case of trainer Jonathan Sheppard being cautious....just shot off a :58 4/5 work at Gulfstream...horse is getting sharp for something!
Fly Lexis Fly
Fly Lexis Fly
Badge of Silver - Becky Loves Silver, by Silver Charm
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Very interesting potential. Won 2 G1 Classics versus older horses in Peru - won Peru Derby by 10+ lengths even though running on wrong lead for half of stretch. However trainer Neil Drysdale will not push horse to Kentucky Derby if not ready and may opt for the Belmont since FLF already has won at 1 1/2 mile.
Hansen (KY)
Tapit - Stormy Sunday, by Sir Cat
Hansen (KY)
Tapit - Stormy Sunday, by Sir Cat
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
hmm-bop....have been reluctant to put the BC Juvenile winner in the mix because of running style but the horse just keeps on winning. Won pressing the pace in the Gotham. Certainly will not miss this horse if the colt lines up in Louisville....white horse that will be on or near the lead. Horse won't win the Derby but may line up and create a pace scenario.
hmm-bop....have been reluctant to put the BC Juvenile winner in the mix because of running style but the horse just keeps on winning. Won pressing the pace in the Gotham. Certainly will not miss this horse if the colt lines up in Louisville....white horse that will be on or near the lead. Horse won't win the Derby but may line up and create a pace scenario.
Alpha
Bernardini - Munnaya, by Nijinsky II
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin
The Sheik (aka Godolphin) has won every big race in the world except for the Kentucky Derby after years of trying maybe this year is the year. Derby pedigree. Impressively won the Withers at Aqueduct and next will race in the Wood.
Empire Way
Empire Maker - Delta Princess by AP Indy
Trainer: Mike Harrington
Finished well in the Robert Lewis Stakes. Has a pedigree of a Classic winner (Sire and Broodmare sire both won the Belmont)...
Prospective
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin
The Sheik (aka Godolphin) has won every big race in the world except for the Kentucky Derby after years of trying maybe this year is the year. Derby pedigree. Impressively won the Withers at Aqueduct and next will race in the Wood.
Empire Way
Empire Maker - Delta Princess by AP Indy
Trainer: Mike Harrington
Finished well in the Robert Lewis Stakes. Has a pedigree of a Classic winner (Sire and Broodmare sire both won the Belmont)...
Prospective
Malibu Moon - Spirited Away, by Awesome Again
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Throw out BC Juvenile and horse hasn't done much wrong. Showed a great late kick in the Sam F Davis at Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Derby is next.
Exothermic
Empire Maker - Irridescence (SAF), by Caesour
Trainer: George R. Arnold, II
2 for 2 including a win going 9 furlongs coming off the pace. Pedigree should help too.
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Throw out BC Juvenile and horse hasn't done much wrong. Showed a great late kick in the Sam F Davis at Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Derby is next.
Exothermic
Empire Maker - Irridescence (SAF), by Caesour
Trainer: George R. Arnold, II
2 for 2 including a win going 9 furlongs coming off the pace. Pedigree should help too.
Liaison
Indian Charlie - Galloping Gal, by Victory Gallop
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Not sure what to make of Robert Lewis Stakes...lost rider in mid-stretch...will have to see how horse responds in next prep. Zipped 4f in :47 as prep for San Felipe.
Summer Front
War Front - Rose of Summer, by El Prado (IRE)
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Recent workout at Payson Park Training Center - so CC will take his time with this colt.
Lemon Juice
Johannesburg - Lemon Lady, by Lemon Drop Kid
Trainer: Dane Kobieskie
Still no recent workouts...hasn't raced since October but still interesting to see if will return to form as 3yo.
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Here are some from my previous lists that fell off....
Hierro
Hard Spun - Brief Bliss, by Navarone
Trainer: Steven Asmussen
Hard Spun - Brief Bliss, by Navarone
Trainer: Steven Asmussen
5th in Sham Stakes at Santa Anita may not be pushed to pursue Derby.
O'Prado Again
El Prado (IRE) - Leh She Run, by Pulpit
Trainer: Dale Romans
Leg injury - off Derby trail.
Timely Tally
Mr. Greeley - Score, by A.P. Indy
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Tendon injury - off Derby trail
Algorithms
Bernardini - Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Leg injury - off Derby trail
Out of Bounds
Discreet Cat - Unbridled Elaine, by Unbridled's Song
Trainer: Eoin G. Harty
Ankle Injury - off Derby trail
Junebugred
Discreet Cat - Unbridled Elaine, by Unbridled's Song
Trainer: Eoin G. Harty
Ankle Injury - off Derby trail
Junebugred
Corinthian - Dixie Melody by Dixieland Band
Trainer: Steve Hobby
Uninspiring 6th in the 2 Division Southwest Stakes.
Trainer: Steve Hobby
Uninspiring 6th in the 2 Division Southwest Stakes.
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