(note: I decided that this week, just for fun, I would extend my "Top Twenty" to a "Top Thirty". I felt like talking about some of the horses who are just out of my Top Twenty.)
1. LOOKIN AT LUCKY Smart Strike - Private Feeling, by Belong to Me Bob Baffert
His run in the Rebel Stakes was excellent. He has answered every question so far. Will Bob Baffert snatch that elusive fourth Kentucky Derby win? We'll find out on May 1st. . .
2. ODYSSEUS Malibu Moon - Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo Thomas Albertrani
Stepped up and ran a great race in the Tampa Bay Derby, overcoming a lot of traffic to get the win. I suspect that he will be one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby.
3. DUBLIN Afleet Alex - Classy Mirage, by Storm Bird D. Wayne Lukas
Really didn't run all that badly in the Rebel. I can see this colt losing the Arkansas Derby and winning the Kentucky Derby at huge odds. I think he'll be ready in May.
4. ESKENDEREYA Giant's Causeway - Alderbaran Light, by Seattle Slew Todd Pletcher
Now that he's going to wait for the Wood Memorial, I like him even better. With a final prep four weeks before the Kentucky Derby, the timing seems a bit better. Would love to see him and Odysseus meet.
5 CARACORTADO Cat Dreams - Mons Venus, by Maria's Mon Michael Machowsky
Didn't quite run as well in the San Felipe as he did in the Robert B. Lewis, but I suspect that he will rebound in the Santa Anita Derby. It's tough to say if he is ready for the Triple Crown, but I think that he is a good one.
6. BLIND LUCK Pollard's Mision - Lucky One, by Best of Luck Jerry Hollendorfer
I really think that she could win one of the Triple Crown races if she was to enter. She looks like a really nice filly who can challenge the colts. She reminds me a lot of Zenyatta.
7. AWESOME ACT Awesome Again - Houdini's Honey, by Mr. Prospector Jeremy Noseda
Should he make the Derby, I wonder how the American colts will respond to his European style. It could be just what it takes to win the Triple Crown.
8. RULE Roman Ruler - Personal Flag, by Rockcide Todd Pletcher
I just don't think this one is going to get the distance. He looks like a great miler, but not a mile and a quarter horse. The Florida Derby will tell us more.
9. NOBLE'S PROMISE Cuvee - The Devil's Trick, by Clever Trick Kenneth G. McPeek
I think that he ran the best race of his career in the Rebel Stakes, coming so close to defeating Lookin at Lucky. I can see him being a very major contender in the Kentucky Derby, and especially the Preakness.
10. SUPER SAVER Maria's Mon - Super Charger, by A.P. Indy Todd Pletcher
He ran a great race in the Tampa Bay Derby, but I'm still left wondering how far he can really go. He will likely improve off of this effort, but I'm not quite sure that he is ready for the Triple Crown.
11. INTERACTIF Broken Vow - Broad Pennant, Broad Brush Todd Pletcher
Very impressive in the San Felipe, despite staying close to the front. The Blue Grass Stakes would be a nice spot for him.
12. RON THE GREEK Full Mandate - Flambe, by Fortunate Prospect Thomas M. Amoss
I imagine that he will be entered in the Louisiana Derby. I think he run a great race there. He needs a lot of pace to get him home, but who knows how fast it will be in the Kentucky Derby.
13. CONNEMARA Giant's Causeway - Satin Sunrise, by Mr. Leader Todd Pletcher
Can't wait to see him run in the Lane's End Stakes just a little more than a week from now.
14. SIDNEY'S CANDY Candy Ride - Fair Exchange, by Storm Cat John W. Sadler
I'm not sure where he's going to run next, but I do think he'll run better on dirt. Perhaps the Wood Memorial is next. That would be a great test.
15. CONVEYANCE Indian Charlie - Emptythetill, by Holy Bull Bob Baffert
I hope that he doesn't wait for the Arkansas Derby. Seven weeks without a race is a long time. And then he would only have three weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
16. ALPHIE'S BET Tribal Rule - Miss Alphie, by Candi's Gold Alexis Barba
I'm going to wait until he runs again before moving him up. He looked good winning the Sham, but I'm still not convinced that he is Triple Crown caliber.
17. DAVE IN DIXIE Dixie Union - Risk, by Wavering Monarch John W. Sadler
He didn't fire like I thought he would in the San Felipe, but he certainly didn't have any pace to chase. With a little more speed up front, his late run should return.
18. UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN Limehouse - La Iluminada, by Langfuhr Alan S. Seewald
Unfortunately, he had a few traffic problems in the Tampa Bay Derby and wound up fifth. There isn't a lot of time left before the Kentucky Derby, so I'm starting to worry. But perhaps he'll be ready for the Preakness.
19. MENDIP Harlan's Holiday - Well Spring, by Coronado Quest
He'll get his next test in the UAE Derby, and will once again take on Vale of York. I would not be surprised if both of them came for the Kentucky Derby.
20. BACKTALK Smarty Jones - Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed Thomas M. Amoss
I would love to see this one in the Louisiana Derby. Looked good winning the Sportsman's Paradise Stakes despite everything.
21. MAKE MUSIC FOR ME Bernstein - Miss Cheers, by Carson City Alexis Barba
I had been anticipating his debut for some time, and he came through in a big way. Now he just needs to switch back to synthetic/dirt. I would love to see him in the Santa Anita Derby.
22. JACKSON BEND Hear No Evil - Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat Nick Zito
With Calvin Borel riding him in the Wood Memorial, it's possible that he could make the Kentucky Derby yet. I don't think he has the pedigree to back him up, but you never know what might happen.
23. DROSSELMEYER Distorted Humor - Golden Ballet, by Moscow Ballet William I. Mott
I'm expecting improvement in his next start. His run in the Risen Star really wasn't that bad, but he needs to show another gear in the stretch.
24. RADIOHEAD Johannesburg - Security Interest, by Belong to Me Richard Dutrow
Unfortunately, he drew the far outside in the Florida Derby, which is never a good thing. If he can overcome it, hats off. He's great.
25. LENTENOR Dynaformer - La Ville Rouge, by Micheal Matz
I think the fact that they're running him in the Florida Derby is a good sign. If he finishes first or second, he should be rich enough to run in the Kentucky Derby. If he winds up third or worse, he can come back three weeks later for the Arkansas Derby, Lexington Stakes, or something similar.
26. FAST ALEX Afleet Alex - Unaffordable, by Unbridled Greg Geier
Has a nice win down at Fair Grounds. If he comes through in the Louisiana Derby, he'll be near the top of everyone's lists. His pedigree looks ready for the Triple Crown.
27. STORMING SAINT Sweetsouthernsaint - Tomisue's Storm, by Storm Cat Henry Dominguez
Decided to include this one off of his win in the Borderland Derby. With the Sunland Derby graded this year, I would not be surprised if this colt makes it to the Kentucky Derby.
28. MINER'S RESERVE Mineshaft - Royal Reserves, by Forty Niner Nick Zito
I think he's going to run huge in the Florida Derby. If he wins, or even finishes second, he should make the Kentucky Derby. I think he looks like a Triple Crown horse.
29. COYOTE LEGEND Gold Legend - Coyote Cafe, by Seeking the Gold W. Bret Calhoun
With his win in the Jim's Orbit Stakes, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Sunland Derby field. His pedigree is very interesting.
30. AIKENITE Yes It's True - Silverlado, by Saint Ballado Todd Pletcher
I imagine that he will show up in the Blue Grass Stakes next. I think that he will run well there, but I don't think that he is quite ready for the Triple Crown.
Well, the bad news finally came. I had the suspicion that it would come eventually, and it did. Buddy's Saint has dropped off of the Triple Crown Trail due to an ankle chip suffered during a workout. A terribly unfortunate turn of events, as I do believe that he has incredible talent. But perhaps he will recover in time for the great summer and fall races such as the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
WATCH VERY CLOSELY
AFLEET EXPRESS I'm still not sure whether this colt is anything or not.
COLIZEO Entered to run in a one mile turf allowance race on the undercard of the Florida Derby.
DISCREETLY MINE I just don't see him going a mile and a quarter, or even a mile and three sixteenths.
DOUBLES PARTNER Not sure how he's going to get the graded earnings in time.
FLY DOWN Where will he go next?
ICE BOX He'll get his chance in the Florida Derby.
MISSION IMPAZIBLE The Louisiana Derby would be great.
SCHOOLYARD DREAMS Ran huge in the Tampa Bay Derby, just wasn't quite enough.
SOARING EMPIRE He'll get his chance in the Florida Derby.
STAY PUT The Louisiana Derby would be great.
VALE OF YORK He'll get another shot at making the Triple Crown.
VOW TO WAGER One to watch in the Lane's End Stakes.
WILLIAM'S KITTEN Is he off the Triple Crown Trail?
YAWANNA TWIST Might be a potential Wood Memorial threat.
KEEP AN EYE ON
AFLEET AGAIN I don't think that he's quite ready for the Triple Crown.
A LITTLE WARM Appears to be a sprinter.
AMERICAN LION Ran rather poorly in the San Felipe, not sure what to think now.
BEST ACTOR He'll get his chance in the Florida Derby.
BULLS AND BEARS Didn't quite get it done in a March 19th allowance race.
BIM BAM I don't think that he's quite ready for the Triple Crown.
CODOY Will probably get his chance in the Lane's End Stakes.
CONCORD POINT Where will he start next?
COOL BULLET Where will he start next?
D’FUNNYBONE Will run in the Swale on the 20th.
DIXIE COMMANDER Nice win in the Turf Paradise Derby.
EIGHTYFIVEANDAFIFTY He's had a couple of workouts, so perhaps he's back on track.
FIRST DUDE He'll get his chance in the Florida Derby.
FLY BY PHIL No news about him lately.
GAME ON DUDE He'll get his chance in the Florida Derby.
GENERAL MAXIMUS Appears to have little stamina.
HOMEBOYKRIS Will train up to the Kentucky Derby.
HOTEP Doesn't seem to quite have the ability.
KERA’S KITTEN Will probably get another chance in the Lane's End.
LETSGETITONMON Looking to redeem himself in the Louisiana Derby.
LAUS DEO Where is he?
MAXIMUS RULER He looks like a miler.
NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR Ran a disappointing race in the Sham.
NORTHERN GIANT Not sure what to think of him.
OUTLAW MAN Not sure what to think of him.
PADDY O'PRADO I imagine he'll go to the Blue Grass.
PEPPI KNOWS I don't think he has the ability.
PULSION Get's a chance to redeem himself in the Florida Derby.
SASSY IMAGE I expect that she'll rebound in her next start.
TEMPTED TO TAPIT Needs more experience.
THE PROGRAM He doesn't look ready for the Triple Crown
TIZ CHROME Where will he run next?
WILDCAT FRANKIE Appears to be a sprinter.
-Keelerman
No comments:
Post a Comment