2011 Kentucky Derby Info/News

[Gremlin Lad]

Sunday 2/27/2011

Soldat (KY)

3yo Dark Bay or Brown Colt

• Bio
• Pedigree
• Auction History

Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlinJockey: Alan GarciaOwner: Clarke, Harvey A., Robertson III, W. Craig, Braverman, Paul and Namcook StableBreeder: Brookfield Stud, LLC

Soldat Marching On to Florida Derby

By Blood-Horse Staff

Updated: Sunday, February 27, 2011 3:48 PM
Posted: Sunday, February 27, 2011 2:32 PM

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1FDIfFpsE

[Gremlin Lad]

Main Site is .....http://www.kentuckyderby.com/

[Gremlin Lad]

2011 Kentucky Derby Contenders Graded Stakes Earnings

Feb 22 2011

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

Graded stakes earnings are used to determine the order of preference for which horses are drawn into the Kentucky Derby if there are more than 20 horses, the maximum allowed number of starters, entered into the race. Below is a list of horses in order of graded earnings amount through February 22. The graded preps are in full swing now with lots of money yet to be earned, so expect a lot of changes to this list weekly. Usually it will take at least $100,000 in graded earnings to make the field for the Derby, and there are already over 20 horses with at least that much in earnings.


Note: Horses who have already be declared as out of the Derby are not listed and only those with at least $10,000 in earnings are included. Where there is a tie in earnings, the horses are ranked alphabetically.

1. Uncle Mo ... $1,260,000
2. Gourmet Dinner ... $700,000
3. J P's Gusto ... $540,000
4. Comma to the Top (g) ... $456,000
5. Turbulent Descent (f) ... $295,550
6. Rogue Romance ... $288,000
7. Mucho Macho Man ... $270,000
8. Soldat ... $270,000
9. Santiva ... $240,254
10. Dialed In ... $240,000
11. To Honor and Serve ... $210,000
12. Decisive Moment ... $206,000
13. Jaycito ... $200,000
14. Anthony's Cross ... $162,000
15. Archarcharch ... $150,000
16. Riveting Reason ... $147,500
17. Blue Laser ... $143,502
18. Willcox Inn ... $139,000
19. Silver Medallion ... $124,334
20. Brethren ... $120,000
21. Sweet Ducky ... $120,000
22. Stay Thirsty ... $110,000
23. Astrology ... $105,893
24. Lou Brissie ... $99,043
25. The Factor ... $90,000
26. Major Gain ... $86,370
27. Premier Pegasus ... $78,000
28. Sway Away ... $60,000
29. Wilkinson ... $60,000
30. Surrey Star ... $44,257
31. Master of Hounds ... $41,884
32. Classic Legacy (g) ... $41,756
33. Jakesam ... $40,000
34. Abjer ... $36,235
35. I'm Steppin' It Up ... $30,000
36. Quail Hill ... $30,000
37. Rustler Hustler ... $30,000
38. Elite Alex ... $25,000
39. Positive Response (g) ... $24,000
40. Ribo Bobo (g) ... $23,726
41. Pants On Fire ... $23,000
42. Indian Winter ... $22,500
43. Industry Leader ... $20,000
44. Powhatan County ... $20,000
45. Thirtyfirststreet ... $15,000
46. Major Art ... $13,435
47. Awesome Patriot ... $12,000
48. Black N Beauty ... $12,000
49. Machen ... $12,000
50. Caleb's Posse ... $11,504
51. Ronin Dax ... $10,830
52. Bandbox ... $10,000
53. Beamer ... $10,000

[Gremlin Lad]

Mucho Macho Man to Louisiana Derby, Crossbow sidelined

Posted: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 4:28 PM

Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Mucho Macho Man will return to New Orleans for the $1-million Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 26 at Fair Grounds.

The bay Macho Uno colt won the Risen Star by 1 1/2 lengths on February 19 for owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable. Mucho Macho Man has amassed $270,000 in graded stakes earnings, which is used to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) if more than 20 three-year-olds are entered.

Dream Team One Racing Vice President Kostas Hatzikoutelis confirmed Mucho Macho Man’s next target. He finished second at two in both the Nashua (G2) and Remsen (G2) Stakes at Aqueduct.


In other Triple Crown news Wednesday, Darley Stable’s swift allowance winner Crossbow will miss a planned start in the Gotham Stakes (G3) on Saturday to have surgery to remove an ankle chip, according to published reports.

The Bernardini colt was scratched from the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) on February 26 because he drew the inside post, and he could return in time for the summer meeting at Saratoga Race Course.

[Gremlin Lad]

Dual Qualifiers for 2011 Kentucky Derby


Horse
Exp. weight
Dosage

Uncle Mo
128
2.20

To Honor and Serve
123
2.38

Boys At Tosconova
122
3.00

Comma to the Top
121
2.20

Pluck
121
1.40

J P’s Gusto
120
2.20

Jaycito
120
3.00

Soldat
119
2.47

[Gremlin Lad]

Monday March 7, 2011


Pletcher's unbeaten sophomore BRETHREN (Distorted Humor), a half-brother to last year's Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver, traveled five furlongs in 1:01 1/5. A smashing winner of his stakes debut in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa, the WinStar homebred will make a return trip for the Tampa Bay Derby.

[Gremlin Lad]

Monday March 7, 2011

With jockey John Velazquez aboard, undefeated champion UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie) breezed a half-mile in :48 4/5 over a fast track at Palm Meadows on Sunday, putting the finishing touches on his preparation for his three-year-old debut.

Last seen romping in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the Todd Pletcher colt is expected to return to action on Saturday, preferably in the one-mile Timely Writer S. at Gulfstream Park, with the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G2) as a fall-back position.

[Gremlin Lad]

Grade 1 hero JAYCITO (Victory Gallop), last seen finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), readied for his seasonal bow in Saturday's San Felipe S. (G2) by drilling five furlongs in :59 4/5.

[Gremlin Lad]

Kentucky Derby Pool 2

Win and Exacta Wagering Pools: Friday Mar. 11 at noon until Sunday Mar. 13 at 6:00pm (ET)







Kentucky Oaks Pool 1

Win and Exacta Wagering Pools: Friday Mar. 11 at noon until Sunday Mar. 13 at 6:30pm (ET)

[Gremlin Lad]

Tuesday March 8, 2011


Zito’s Dialed In: Wrong Number or Call Waiting?



Read the article at

http://www.turfnsport.com/dialed-in-florida-derby-prep.php

[Gremlin Lad]

Derby 3 yr old Contenders in Stakes Races Saturday 3/12/2011

Thursday 3/10/2011

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/full_edition.cgi

[biggamerife21]

Sway Away- Elite Alex those two will be major factors first saturday in May.

[Thunder Gulch]

Elite Alex and Sway Away better win one of their preps because they are way out of it on graded earnings now. Elite Alex disappointed in the Southwest, and the Rebel looks much tougher than that.

[daoilman]

http://bcove.me/b0r4ua5p

Above is a link to the DRF web page that details current events.

What a funny looking link, but it works.

[Gremlin Lad]

Monday March 14, 2011

2011 KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER
Final Odds -- Pool 2
NO. HORSE ODDS

1. Anthony's Cross 45-1

2. Archarcharch* 50-1

3. Astrology 53-1

4. Brethren 30-1

5. Comma to the Top 85-1

6. Dialed In 11-1

7. Elite Alex* 31-1

8. Gourmet Dinner 42-1

9. J P's Gusto 61-1

10. Jaycito 16-1

11. Machen 68-1

12. Mucho Macho Man 29-1

13. Rogue Romance 36-1

14. Runflatout* 31-1

15. Santiva 31-1

16. Silver Medallion 31-1

17. Soldat 13-1

18. Stay Thirsty 25-1

19. Sway Away* 18-1

20. Sweet Ducky 75-1

21. The Factor 32-1

22. To Honor and Serve 14-1

23. Uncle Mo 3-1

24. All Other Three-Year-Olds 7-2



*new wagering interest in Pool 2

[BBROBOZO]

Gremblin Lad

Keep the news coming ... I like to see any news about the derby.... Thanks

[zebra58]

wish i had a future on all-others @7/2

[Gremlin Lad]

Sweet Ducky bound for Dubai


Holy Bull S. (G3) runner-up SWEET DUCKY (Pulpit) will point to the $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) after being sold to undisclosed interests, according to a Monday report in The Blood-Horse.

Formerly owned by George and Lori Hall, Sweet Ducky had been training up to the April 3 Florida Derby (G1) for conditioner Kelly Breen.

Sweet Ducky is slated to ship to Dubai Tuesday, along with the other American horses who will run on the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) card.

The dark bay was purchased by the Halls for $135,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. As a two-year-old, he won three of his first four starts at Monmouth Park, including the Garden State S. and Seton Hall University S., and finished fourth in the Delta Downs Jackpot S. (G3).

Sweet Ducky opened his current campaign with a second-place effort behind Dialed In (Mineshaft) in the Holy Bull, increasing his career earnings to $268,250 from his 6-3-1-0 record.

[Gremlin Lad]

Premier Pegasus
by Darren Rogers | cdrt | 03/14/2011

by Darren Rogers | cdrt | 03/14/2011 #
Premier Pegasus, who earned $150,000 for his runaway victory in Saturday’s Grade II, $250,000 San Felipe at Santa Anita, jumped from No. 27 to No. 13 on the Kentucky Derby 137 Graded Stakes Earnings List. The list will likely determine the field for the “Run for the Roses” on Saturday, May 7 at Churchill Downs.

The $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) has been restricted to 20 starters since 1975. Graded stakes earnings accumulated in races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” have determined the field for the 1 ¼-mile classic since 1986.



Info on Premier Pegasus: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/contenders/premier-pegasus

[Gremlin Lad]

3/15/2011

Here’s the Kentucky Derby 137 Graded Stakes Earnings Top 25 through March 13 (with last week’s ranking on the Graded Stakes Earnings List plus graded stakes earnings and the trainer of the horse):

Rank (Last Week) Horse, Graded Stakes Earnings, Trainer (Possible Next Race)

1. (1.) Uncle Mo, $1,260,000, Todd Pletcher (April 9 Wood Memorial)
2. (2.) Gourmet Dinner, $780,000, Steve Standridge (April 3 Florida Derby or April 9 Santa Anita Derby)
3. (3.) J P’s Gusto, $540,000, Joe Petalino (March 19 Rebel)
4. (4.) Soldat, $510,000, Kiaran McLaughlin (April 3 Florida Derby)
5. (5.) Comma to the Top, $471,000, Peter Miller (TBA)
6. (6.) Rogue Romance, $288,000, Ken McPeek (April 16 Toyota Blue Grass or Arkansas Derby)

7. (7.) Mucho Macho Man, $270,000, Kathy Ritvo (March 26 Louisiana Derby)
8. (8.) Stay Thirsty, $260,000, Todd Pletcher (April 3 Florida Derby or April 16 Arkansas Derby)
9. (13.) Jaycito, $250,000, Bob Baffert (April 9 Santa Anita Derby)
9. (9.) To Honor and Serve, $250,000 Bill Mott (April 3 Florida Derby)
11. (10.) Santiva, $240,254, Eddie Kenneally (April 16 Toyota Blue Grass)
12. (11.) Dialed In, $240,000, Nick Zito (April 3 Florida Derby)
13. (27.) Premier Pegasus, $228,000, Myung Kwon Cho (April 9 Santa Anita Derby)
14. (12.) Decisive Moment, $206,000, Juan Arias (March 26 Louisiana Derby or April 3 Florida Derby)
15. (14.) Anthony’s Cross, $162,000, Eoin Harty (April 9 Santa Anita Derby)
16. (21.) Brethren, $155,000, Todd Pletcher (TBA)
17. (15.) Archarcharch, $150,000, Jinks Fires (March 19 Rebel)
18. (16.) Riveting Reason, $147,500, Myung Kwon Cho (TBA)
19. (18.) Willcox Inn, $139,000, Mike Stidham (TBA)
20. (19.) Silver Medallion, $124,334, Steve Asmussen (TBA)
21. (20.) Sweet Ducky, $120,000, TBA (March 26 UAE Derby)
22. (22.) Astrology, $105,893, Steve Asmussen (March 19 Rebel)
23. (24.) Flashpoint, $90,000, Rick Dutrow Jr. (April 3 Florida Derby or Swale)
23. (24.) The Factor, $90,000, Bob Baffert (March 19 Rebel)
25. (28.) Sway Away, $60,000, Jeff Bonde (March 19 Rebel)
25. (28.) Wilkinson, $60,000, Neil Howard (March 26 Louisiana Derby)



Just one open graded stakes event is carded seven weeks in advance of the Derby. Saturday’s Grade Grade II, $300,000 Rebel at Oaklawn Park is a steppingstone to the Grade I, $1 million Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 16. The 1 1/16-mile race, which features a $180,000 first prize ($60,000 for second, $30,000 for third, $15,000 for fourth, $9,000 for fifth and $6,000 split between the remaining starters), could attract five horses in the Top 25 – No. 3 J P’s Gusto ($540,000), No. 17 Archarcharch ($150,000), No. 22 Astrology ($105,893), No. 23 The Factor ($90,000) and No. 25 Sway Away ($60,000). Alternation ($0), Bluegrass Jam ($0), Caleb’s Posse ($11,504), Dreaminofthewin ($0), Elite Alex ($25,000), Glint ($0), J W Blue ($0), Picko’s Pride ($0) and Smoke It Right ($0) have also been mentioned as possible starters. Entries close Thursday.



www.kentuckyderby.com

[Gremlin Lad]

53 days left to the 2011 KENTUCKY DERBY !

[Gremlin Lad]

Sunday March 20, 2011

Fog City Stable and George Bolton's THE FACTOR (War Front) made a successful two-turn debut in Saturday's $300,000 Rebel S. (G2) at Oaklawn Park, winning in such an emphatic style as to ensure his continued presence along the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail for the immediate future. Questions surrounding The Factor's ability to harness his speed and to stay 1 1/16 miles were quickly put to rest as he took an uncontested lead, set sensible splits (for him), and opened up on his eight rivals through the stretch to win by 6 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:42.

------
Sway Away (Afleet Alex), the 9-5 second choice who also invaded from California, was a bit rank entering the first turn, fell far behind, and made only a modest rally to finish sixth in a disappointing effort. He beat 7-2 third choice J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal), Picko's Pride (Cactus Ridge) and Bluegrass Jam (Bluegrass Cat) to the wire.

[Gremlin Lad]

Sunday March 20, 2011


Rogue Romance sidelined with foot fracture

Bourbon S. (G3) star ROGUE ROMANCE (Smarty Jones) has been taken off the Triple Crown Trail with a fracture in his left forefoot, according to a report on Runnymede Farm's website.

Trainer Ken McPeek said the chestnut colt, bred by Runnymede Farm in partnership with farm chairman Catesby W. Clay and raced by Clay, returned lame following an easy three-furlong breeze on Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park.

X-rays were taken and sent to Dr. Larry Bramlage in Lexington, Kentucky, who diagnosed a fracture in the foot that will require two to three months of stall rest.

The fracture is not career-threatening and Rogue Romance is expected to fully recover and return to the races following rest at Scanlon Training Center in Ocala, Florida.

"This is unfortunate and the worst timing imaginable," Runnymede Vice President and General Manager Martin O'Dowd said. "But we look forward to Rogue Romance returning to training and hopefully making it back to the Breeders' Cup this year."

[Gremlin Lad]

Monday March 21, 2011


Macho Man installed as 9-5 favorite in Louisiana Derby

Just a few days ago, barely more than a handful of horses were committed to Saturday's 98th running of the Louisiana Derby (G2), but come entry time, the hefty $1 million purse ended up luring a bumper crop of 13 aspiring three-year-olds at Fair Grounds. As expected, MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno) returns to the scene of his impressive victory in the February 19 Risen Star S. (G2), and rates as a clear-cut 9-5 favorite on the morning line against such rivals as ELITE ALEX (Afleet Alex), the uncoupled Neil Howard duo of MACHEN (Distorted Humor) and WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid), and the undefeated LEFT (Arch).

*****
Besides getting the opportunity to stretch back out to two turns in the 1 1/16-mile Risen Star, Mucho Macho Man also took the blinkers off, an equipment change that might have helped him relax early. The strapping bay responded by powering to a 1 1/2-length victory. A repeat of that performance would make him difficult to beat Saturday, especially since his nearest pursuers in the Risen Star are absent. Runner-up Santiva (Giant's Causeway) is aiming for the April 16 Blue Grass S. (G1), while third-placer Rogue Romance (Smarty Jones) has been knocked off the Derby trail by injury

Rajiv Maragh, who picked up the mount from seriously-injured rider Eibar Coa, will be back in the saddle when Mucho Macho Man breaks from post 5.

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY MARCH 21, 2011

Add The Factor to this year's list of serious contenders on the Triple Crown trail. The brilliant colt, trained in Southern California by Bob Baffert, proved his ability to get a route of ground with a crushing win in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park March 19. Ridden by Martin Garcia, the favored (7-5) son of War Front turned in an electrifying front-running effort in the 1 1/16 mile Rebel, drawing away from a deep field of 3-year-olds to win by 6 1/4 lengths. The final time was 1:42.19 over a fast track. Fog City Stable and George Bolton own the brilliant The Factor, who has been remarkable so far this this year in a pair of grade II stakes triumphs. Those followed a maiden win by 8 1/4 lengths Dec. 26 at Santa Anita in which he covered six furlongs in an eye-catching 1:06.98 and earned a 108 Beyer. He returned to capture the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) at seven furlongs over a wet-fast track Feb. 20 in a superb 1:20.34 (103 Beyer). Out of the Misawki mare Greyciousness, The Factor was bred in Kentucky by H & W Thoroughbreds. The gray/roan colt was purchased for $250,000 as a 2-year-old at Barretts last May. The Factor made it consecutive wins in the Rebel for Baffert, who took the 2010 renewal with Lookin at Lucky.

[Gremlin Lad]

Wednesday March 23, 2011

Brethren -

"I guess it is easy to toss a horse that loses a race but this one should be really tough in the Arkansas. The outside post did not help this horse last time out and maybe he bounced a little bit off his last performance but this horse has won a lot of races. Tampa compared to other tracks is a deep track and horses can come off this track very fit. The fact is he needs to do well in the Arkansas and I am sure Pletcher will have him ready to go 3rd off a layoff. Remember unlike many in the Derby Brethren loves the dirt at Churchill and has a big win on the surface. A first or second place gets him in the Derby and he should do well stalking the speed. We will see what he is made of when he gets a chance to run on a fast track like Oaklawn."


Commented by "Draynay"

[Gremlin Lad]

Wednesday March 23, 2011

Road to the 2011 Kentucky Derby

By Michael Dempsey

With seven weeks to go until the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, most of the top contenders are down to having just one prep race left, and with 14 graded stakes for three-year-olds still to be run, there is still plenty of time for a newcomer to burst onto the scene.
With some of the main contenders like Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, and Santiva having only two preps in their three-year-old campaign, it makes for a tough handicapping equation trying to figure out who is going to be ready to fire their best on racing’s biggest stage.
There is over $9 million in graded earnings up for grabs over the next five weeks, and the landscape could change dramatically in that time.
Will we still be talking about Uncle Mo, Premier Pegasus, and The Factor on April 17, or will there be several new shooters in the mix?
Here is a quick preview of some of the Derby Trail action we have to look forward to in the upcoming weeks:


March 26 $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) Mucho Macho Man was installed as the 9/5 morning line favorite in a field of 13 in the marquee race of the Fair Grounds meeting this Saturday. The winner of the Risen Star (G2) will get a rematch with Machen, who was fourth in the Risen Star as the favorite. In addition, Elite Alex, Wilkinson, and Pants On Fire may be mixing it up late. The race also features several recent maiden and Alw-1 winners that could jump up, pull off the upset, and become a Derby player.

$500,000 Spiral Stakes Last year Paddy O’Prado used the Spiral Stakes as a Derby prep and ran big on the first Saturday of May in a third place finish. This year’s running looks as if it is going to have a large field (the limit is 12) of mostly polytrack and turf runners who would earn enough with a win to get into the starting gate on Derby Day. Among the major players will be Positive Response, Animal Kingdom, Twinspired, and King Congie.

March 27 $800,000 Sunland Derby Ever since Mine That Bird used this race as a springboard to Derby glory, this race has been on the Derby Trail, and with a rich purse, the winner is assured to get into the Derby. Among the probables for Sunday’s race are Astrology, Ruler On Ice, Nacho Saint, Behold de Buy, and Beer Meister.

April 3 $1 million Florida Derby This race could end up the toughest of all of the Derby preps, even if Uncle Mo heads to New York for the Wood. Soldat, Dialed In, To Honor and Serve, Stay Thirsty, and possibly Flashpoint and Watch Me Go will head a solid field. If Uncle Mo ends up in Hallandale, Stay Thirsty would likely be shipped to New York for the Wood. Either way, this is the can’t miss Derby prep of the season.

April 9 $1 million Wood Memorial Eleven horses that won the Wood have gone on to take the Run for the Roses, the last to sweep the two races being Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. Trainer Todd Pletcher has indicated that the Wood is the likely final Derby prep for last year’s champion two-year-old Uncle Mo. Among his foes will be Jaycito, Toby’s Corner, Norman Asbjornson, and Isn’t He Perfect,

$1 million Santa Anita Derby With Santa Anita going back to conventional dirt, this year’s running of the Santa Anita Derby takes on added importance. Among those possible for the race include Comma to the Top, Premier Pegasus, and Anthony’s Cross.

$250,000 Illinois Derby With the purse slashed in half from $500,000 to $250,000, the race really loses its allure as a good spot to pick up graded earnings against what usually is one of the weaker late Derby preps. I thought this would be a good spot for The Factor, following in the footsteps of War Emblem, who won the race and went on to win the Kentucky Derby for trainer Bob Baffert, both in gate to wire fashion. But Baffert is looking elsewhere, as are all of the other connections of major Derby hopefuls.

April 16 $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass There is big money up for grabs in this race, which historically has been a good final prep, at least until polytrack was installed at Keeneland. It looks like Santiva will use the Blue Grass as his final Derby prep. This will be a good spot for the winner and runner up to get into the Derby, and it could be horses that are better on polytrack or turf that do the damage here and make their way into the Derby where they will not be on their best surface.

$1 million Arkansas Derby The Factor proved he could get two turns in the Rebel last weekend, and it appears Baffert will send him back to Little Rock to try nine furlongs in this spot. Among his foes will be several exiting the Rebel, including Sway Away, Caleb’s Posse, and Archarcharch. It looks as if Super Saver’s little brother Brethren will get a chance to redeem himself in the race as well.

[gman2114]

Is there any other speed to go with the Factor?

[Gremlin Lad]

Speed does not always win.......that is why they run these races. Anything can happen.

[Gremlin Lad]

Pants On Fire, Mucho Macho Man Going to Derby

Posted: Sunday, March 27, 2011 6:41 PM

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1HtXGQ8Ij

[Gremlin Lad]

2011 Kentucky Derby Top Contenders

By Michael Dempsey

There were two causalities to this week’s Elite Eight list, Super Saver’s little brother Brethren, who ran a disappointing third in the Tampa Bay Derby, and Rogue Romance, who had to go to make room for Premier Pegasus and Sway Away.

The win by Premier Pegasus in the San Felipe vaulted the colt up to #2 on the list this week, and flattered the effort by Sway Away and The Factor.

Sway Away moves up from #10 to #6 because I like his pedigree much more than that of The Factor.

I don’t think The Factor has the pedigree to get 1 ¼ miles on the first Saturday of May, and do we really want the Derby winner to have anything to do with Bill O’Reilly?

I didn’t think so.

Here is a look at my Derby Elite Eight:
(Through Mar. 15, 2011)

1. Uncle Mo
Pedigree: Indian Charlie - Playa Maya, by Arch
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Timely Writer on March 12 (Won)
Next Race: Wood Memorial on Apr. 9
Comment: His glorified workout in the Timely Writer was about what I expected, but can this guy win the Kentucky Derby off just two preps, one that was not taxing at all? He closed at 3/1 in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and will pay $8.20 if he wins. That’s a serious underlay eight weeks out. Don’t forget Pletcher is one for 28 in the Derby.


2. Premier Pegasus
Pedigree: Fusaichi Pegasus - Squall Linda, by Summer Squall
Trainer: Myung Kwon Cho
Last Race: San Felipe on March 12 (Won)
Next Race: Santa Anita Derby on Apr. 9
Comment: I loved his San Felipe win and not just because I picked him and he returned $16.60. He got a perfect pace set up, but I really liked the way he finished, I like his pedigree, and I finally found a horse based on the left coast that I think has a shot of winning the Run for the Roses.


3. Soldat
Pedigree: War Front - Le Relais, by Coronado's Quest
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Last Race: Fountain of Youth on Feb. 26 (Won)
Next Race: Florida Derby on Apr. 3
Comment: With Dialed In coming up short in his last start, this guy’s Fountain of Youth win on Feb. 26 is looking better. It was his first start over a fast main track, his six previous starts a trio of turf starts and three outings on wet tracks. He beat a couple of highly regarded Derby prospects in Gourmet Dinner and To Honor and Serve in his gate to wire score. The colt showed an ability to come from off the pace on turf, rallying for the runner up spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last fall at Churchill Downs.

4. Stay Thirsty
Pedigree: Bernardini - Marozia, by Storm Bird
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Gotham Stakes on Mar. 5 (Won)
Next Race: Florida Derby on Apr. 3.
Comment: I had faith in this colt and he came through by winning the Gotham. His victory with was more workmanlike than breathtaking, but he should move forward in his next start and looks like a serious Derby contender for the fully loaded Pletcher barn.



5. Dialed In
Pedigree: Mineshaft - Miss Doolittle, by Storm Cat
Trainer: Nick Zito
Last Race: Alw-2 optional claimer on March 6 (2nd)
Next Race: Florida Derby on Apr. 3.
Comment: He came up short in his last start, but got no pace to run at and did not get a clean trip. In addition, he was facing older, and his stablemate Equestrio is no slouch. He still is the one to watch in the Florida Derby, and I am not going to hold his loss against him too much, but with the strong performance from Premier Pegasus, he drops from #4 to #5 this week.


6. Sway Away
Pedigree: Afleet Alex – Seattle Shimmer, by Seattle Slew
Trainer: Jeff Bonde
Last Race: San Vicente on Feb. 20 (2nd)
Next Race: Rebel Stakes on Apr. 19
Comment: How does this guy go from #10 to #6 without racing last week? He finished ahead of Premier Pegasus by 2 ½ lengths in the San Felipe on Feb. 20, and my east coast bias would not let me rate him any higher last week. I love his pedigree, by Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex out of a Seattle Slew mare.

7. Santiva
Pedigree: Giant's Causeway - Slide, by Smarten
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Last Race: Risen Star on Feb. 19 (2nd)
Next Race: Blue Grass on Apr. 16
Comment: He raced wide throughout in the Risen Star and managed to finish a good second behind Mucho Macho Man, who had the fitness edge. Maybe with that wide trip jockey Mike Smith thought he was aboard Zenyatta. This colt will move forward but I am not crazy about his last Derby prep coming on the fake stuff.


8. Mucho Macho Man
Pedigree: Macho Uno - Ponche de Leona, by Ponche
Trainer: Katherine Ritvo
Last Race: Risen Star on Feb. 19 (Won)
Next Race: Louisiana Derby on Mar. 26
Comment: He beat Santiva and Rogue Romance in the Risen Star on Feb. 19 and will make his final prep for the Run for the Roses in the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 26. That means there is a six-week break until the Derby, and no horse has won off that type of layoff in 50 years. To be honest, if a guy named Zito, Baffert, or Pletcher trained this colt, I might like him more.

[Gremlin Lad]

Friday April 1st 2011

Horses made eligible for the Triple Crown in the late nomination period are as follows:
HORSE

OWNER

TRAINER

RECORD

EARNINGS


Beer Meister

James Egger & William Burns

Manuel Ortiz Sr.

5-2-2-0

$71,620


Bowman's Causeway

Martin Schwartz

Patrick Biancone

5-1-1-2

$61,091


Joes Blazing Aaron

Joseph Witek

Mike Maker

9-3-0-0

$123,864


Lagoon of Diamonds

Charles Fipke

Kelly Ackerman

6-2-1-0

$29,280


Nacho Saint

Lori & George Hall

Kelly Breen

7-1-3-0

$126,300


Norman Asbjornson

Thomas McClay & Harry Nye

Christopher Grove

6-2-1-0

$117,200


Ruler On Ice

Lori & George Hall

Kelly Breen

5-2-1-1

$156,500



Saratoga Red

Robert Baker & William Mack

D. Wayne Lukas

2-1-0-0

$37,800



Smoke It Right

Rand Metoyer & Benard Chatters

Benard Chatters

4-4-0-0

$96,300



Swift Warrior

James Covello & James Dolan

John Terranova II

12-3-2-5

$136,810



Truman's Commander

Robert LaPenta & Harry Rosenblum

Nick Zito

4-1-0-1

$29,010



War Pact

Joseph Allen

Jean-Claude Rouget

3-2-0-1

$41,267



Watch Me Go

Gilbert Campbell

Kathleen O'Connell

9-4-0-1

$311,345

[Gremlin Lad]

Saturday April 2, 2011

TrackMaster Derby Top Ten Updated 3/14

http://blog.trackmaster.com/?p=2808

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY APRIL 4, 2011

2011 KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER

Final Odds -- Pool 3

NO.

HORSE

ODDS

1.

Animal Kingdom*

31-1

2.

Anthony's Cross

43-1

3.

Astrology

41-1

4.

Brethren

36-1

5.

Comma to the Top

SUS

6.

Dialed In

5-1

7.

Decisive Moment*

99-1

8.

Elite Alex

32-1

9.

Jaycito

20-1

10.

Mr. Commons*

96-1

11.

Mucho Macho Man

27-1

12.

Nehro

26-1

13.

Pants on Fire*

44-1

14.

Premier Pegasus*

9-1

15.

Santiva

30-1

16.

Silver Medallion

41-1

17.

Soldat

17-1

18.

Stay Thirsty

32-1

19.

The Factor

10-1

20.

To Honor and Serve

15-1

21.

Twice the Appeal*

65-1

22.

Uncle Mo

3-1

23.

Watch Me Go*

73-1

24.

Mutuel Field (All Other 3YOs)

8-1

*new wagering interest in Pool 3

[Gremlin Lad]

SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2011


TO HONOR AND SERVE OFF DERBY TRAIL....


The Kentucky Derby continues to vex the Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, whose To Honor and Serve has a strained suspensory ligament in his left foreleg and is off the Derby trail.
“It is called a proximal suspensory lesion,” Mott wrote in an e-mail. “Very small area at the attachment on top. Generally heal well in a short period of time. Can often be kept in light training after a two- or three-week rest.”
The son of Bernardini, To Honor and Serve captured the Remsen Stakes last year at a mile and an eighth, raising Mott's expectations that he finally had a colt bred for the classic Triple Crown distances.


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