1. DUBLIN Afleet Alex - Classy Mirage, by Storm Bird D. Wayne Lukas
He proved to me in the Southwest Stakes that he is back full force, running a grand race to finish second. I'm confident that he will improve with more time and distance. Isn't about time for Lukas to get his record fourteenth victory in a Triple Crown race?
2. LOOKIN AT LUCKY Smart Strike - Private Feeling, by Belong to Me Bob Baffert
He's been training nicely and should have no trouble running a good race in the San Felipe. He'll only have two preps in him prior to the Kentucky Derby, but then so did Big Brown and Mine That Bird. As long as he doesn't get in the same kind of trouble Buddy's Saint did, he should be ready.
3. SUPER SAVER Maria's Mon - Super Charger, by A.P. Indy Todd Pletcher
Turns out that he skipped the Fountain of Youth for a possible start in the Gotham on March 6th or the Rebel on March 13th. He'll be a force to deal with in either location, but he still needs to prove he can go a mile and a quarter. His pedigree says he can, but then, so did Charitable Man's last year.
4 CARACORTADO Cat Dreams - Mons Venus, by Maria's Mon Michael Machowsky
He's going to be one to reckon with in California, and it's possible that he's good enough to dethrone Lookin at Lucky. I think the last California bred to win the Kentucky Derby was Morvich in 1922. But Big Brown was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby off of three starts since Regret in 1915, so I'm not worried.
5. ESKENDEREYA Giant's Causeway - Alderbaran Light, by Seattle Slew Todd Pletcher
His win in the Fountain of Youth proved that he has Triple Crown potential. If he should win the Florida Derby or a similar race, I may have to put him at the top of the list. His pedigree is spectacular.
6. RULE Roman Ruler - Personal Flag, by Rockcide Todd Pletcher
I really can't see him getting a mile and a quarter at this time, but who knows how good he is? He'll get a chance to take on a mile and an eighth prior to the Triple Crown, so we should have a better idea of how far he wants to go soon.
7. WILLIAM'S KITTEN Kitten's Joy - Blush, by Menifee Michael J. Maker
I'm still trying to figure out where he will appear next. To me, he looks like the type of colt who will come from the clouds to spoil the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. He could show up in the Rebel, or even the Gotham, but I think that the Tampa Bay Derby is the most likely target.
8. BUDDY'S SAINT Saint Liam - Tuzia, by Blushing John Bruce Levine
The Fountain of Youth was really disappointing, not so much because he lost the race, but more because he got absolutely nothing out of the race. If he bounces back okay, it's still possible that he could make the Tampa Bay Derby, and then fly to New York for the Wood Memorial.
9. RON THE GREEK Full Mandate - Flambe, by Fortunate Prospect Thomas M. Amoss
He really didn't run all that bad in the Risen Star. After they went a half mile in 48 3/5, I knew he was cooked. He still managed to grab sixth, and he was only beaten 4 1/4 lengths for all the money. I haven't given up on him yet.
10 DAVE IN DIXIE
He really made a good run in the Robert B. Lewis, coming from behind after having not started since last October. He should only improve in his next race, and should be really coming with more distance.
11. BLIND LUCK Pollard's Mision - Lucky One, by Best of Luck Jerry Hollendorfer
I still think that she is a very good filly and is capable of taking on colts in the Triple Crown. Her run in the Las Virgenes was better than it looked. The Santa Anita Oaks is next, so we'll get to see at a slightly longer distance soon.
12. CONNEMARA Giant's Causeway - Satin Sunrise, by Mr. Leader Todd Pletcher
Proved once again that he is in the mix for the Triple Crown with his fine victory in the El Camino Real Derby. I still wonder whether he is a top class colt, but everything seems to say that he is. I would love to see him race on dirt, but I don't think it will happen until the Kentucky Derby, should he get there.
13. ODYSSEUS
I was very impressed by his win down at Tampa Bay Downs, a fifteen length victory. It's possible that he could turn up again soon and become a major Triple Crown contender. I like his name, goes good with Assault, Whirlaway, Affirmed, Secretariat, War Admiral, etc.
14. AFLEET EXPRESS Afleet Alex - Expanse, by Distant View James A. Jerkens
He didn't start in the Fountain of Youth, but he has found an allowance race at Gulfstream Park to try. I'm still positive that he is a high class colt who is capable of winning the Florida Derby and possibly even taking a Triple Crown race. I really like his name.
15. INTERACTIF Broken Vow - Broad Pennant, Broad Brush Todd Pletcher
It sounds as though the Santa Anita Derby is a possible target. He's going to have to show more if he is going to remain a Triple Crown contender.
16. UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN
I still think that he is capable of running with the best of them, and that he can win the Tampa Bay Derby in March. Musket Man disappointed in last year's Sam F. Davis, but rebounded to take the Tampa Bay Derby and the Illinois Derby. Don't give up on him yet.
17. NOBLE'S PROMISE Cuvee - The Devil's Trick, by Clever Trick Kenneth G. McPeek
He has already shown that he has guts, but the question is still whether he can get the longer distances. He could show up for the Gotham, which would be terrific. It's possible that he could like dirt more than synthetics, just as I Want Revenge did last year. We'll see what he does next.
18. CONVEYANCE Indian Charlie - Emptythetill, by Holy Bull Bob Baffert
He really ran a great race in the Southwest Stakes, setting a solid pace the entire race and digging in to hold off Dublin. Still, I don't think that he wants to go a mile and a quarter.
19. JACKSON BEND Hear No Evil - Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat Nick Zito
Unfortunately, he had the perfect trip in the Fountain of Youth and proved that he just couldn't do it. I'm afraid that the stamina to get the Triple Crown distances just isn't in him. He has the potential to keep improving, but I just don't think he can do it.
20. DROSSELMEYER Distorted Humor - Golden Ballet, by Moscow Ballet
He ran a good race to finish fourth in the Risen Star, but he just couldn't get up in time. I find it interesting that the three horses who beat him sat one two three throughout the entire race, which says something about how slow the pace was. He should improve with more ground and more pace to chase.
NOTABLE OTHER HORSES
AFLEET AGAIN The Gotham would be great. Wasn't nominated to the Triple Crown.
AIKENITE Ran a nice race in the Fountain of Youth, but he was no match for Eskendereya.
A LITTLE WARM Didn't quite get there in the Hutcheson, probably a sprinter.
AMERICAN LION Can he get the distance?
BACKTALK Set to go at Delta Downs.
CONCORD POINT Don't count him out yet.
COYOTE LEGEND Jim's Orbit was visually impressive. He could surprise everyone and make the Derby.
D’FUNNYBONE Nice win in the Hutcheson, but he seems to be a sprinter.
DISCREETLY MINE Nice win in the Risen Star, but was all out after slow fractions.
DIXIE COMMANDER Nice win in the Turf Paradise Derby.
DOUBLES PARTNER One to watch after beating Lentenor following a bad trip.
DRYFLY Just plain faded in the Southwest Stakes.
EIGHTYFIVEANDAFIFTY Perhaps he'll recover in time for the Gotham.
FLY BY PHIL I'm not sure where he is right now.
GENERAL MAXIMUS He has got the speed, but can he carry it a distance?
HOMEBOYKRIS Seems to be a sprinter.
HOTEP Didn't fire the way I thought he would in the Risen Star.
KERA’S KITTEN I can see this colt winning the Lane's End.
LENTENOR Couldn't quite win his allowance race, but I don't think he saw the winner coming. With more experience?!?
LETSGETITONMON Didn't fire in the Risen Star.
LAUS DEO Would not be surprised to see him in the Gotham.
MAKE MUSIC FOR ME I'm just wondering where he'll show up next.
MAXIMUS RULER He looks like a miler. But who knows?
PULSION Didn'ts fire in the Fountain of Youth.
SASSY IMAGE Wasn't nominated to Triple Crown.
SIDNEY'S CANDY Possible for the Gotham.
STAY PUT Actually didn't run that badly in the Risen Star. One to watch next time out.
TEMPTED TO TAPIT Ran a nice race in the Risen Star, but needs more experience.
THE PROGRAM Will he tackle Lookin at Lucky and Caracortado in the San Felipe?
TIZ CHROME He appears to be a sprinter, but he'll get another shot at distance in the Gotham.
VALE OF YORK He may run in a mile and three sixteenths race at Meydan this March.
WILDCAT FRANKIE Ran a poor race in the Hutcheson Stakes.
-Keelerman
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