Derby List Week 8

March 3, 2010

Hello Everyone,

After the biggest weekend this year on the Derby trail, this week was extremely quiet. The only graded stakes race for the boys last weekend, the Grade III Sham, was postponed due to heavy rains. It was rescheduled for March 6. Backtalk was successful in his return to the races. He won the Sportsman’s Paradise Stakes at Delta Downs over Royal Express. The two stakes races on Saturday were decided via disqualification. Vow to Wager was placed first after Codoy was disqualified due to interference in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway. Storming Saint was elevated to first in the Borderland Derby after the stewards disqualified Raise the Bridle for interference. In other news, Bob Baffert said that Champion Lookin at Lucky will most likely go in the Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn instead of the Grade II San Felipe as originally planned next week. Todd Pletcher said that he will send out Grade II winner Super Saver for his 2010 bow in either the Grade III Tampa Bay Derby or the Rebel stakes next week.

This weekend has three graded stakes races. The Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct has a bunch of horses looking to put themselves on the Derby trail. My selection for this one is stakes winner Peppi Knows. The Sham is being run this weekend after its postponement. I’m still going for Nextdoorneighbor in this one. The Grade III Palm Beach Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park may produce a contender. I think Dean’s Kitten will win this one. Also the week, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner Vale of York (IRE) will make his first start or the year at Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse on Thursday.

The Grade II Davona Dale drew a competitive field last week with stakes winners Amen Hallelujah, Bickersons and Sassy Image. Amen Hallelujah dominated the race, winning by more than six lengths. Sassy Image, the top horse on the Oaks list for the whole year, finished fifth while spotting the winner four pounds. Sassy Image was carried wide the entire way, and the leaders ran soft fractions, making it very difficult for her to run them down. Sheer Beauty won the Green Oaks at Delta Downs last week. This fine Mizzen Mast filly is one to keep an eye on. Notable maiden winner Christine Daae won an allowance race last weekend very easily. It was her first start around two turns. This daughter of Giant’s Causeway is something to be taken very seriously on the road to the Kentucky Oaks. This weekend brings the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks, and with it, the return of top Oaks contender Blind Luck. It will be interesting to see how she runs after a very close race last time out for her.

As always thank you for reading my list!

Sincerely,
Seth Kochera

Top Ten Derby Horses
By: Seth Kochera
March 3, 2010 (Week 8)
1. Eskenderey
It appears that the Florida Derby on March 20 is next for this fine Giant’s Causeway colt.
2. Conveyance
The only colt to win a grade stakes race on dirt and synthetic. He won’t run again till April.
3. Super Saver
Pletcher said that he will go in either the Tampa Bay Derby or the Rebel. Both are March 13.
4. D’Funnybone
It will be either the Florida Derby or the Swale Stakes next for this fleet son of D’wildcat.
5. Rule
The Sam F. Davis winner will head to Gulfstream for the Florida Derby to face a tough field.
6. Discreetly Mine
The Louisiana Derby on March 27 is next for the front-running half brother to Discreet Cat.
7. Buddy’s Saint
The Saint Liam colt will return to the site of his greatest victories for the Wood Memorial.
8. Tempted to Tapit
His trainer said he was thinking about sending him to Sunland Park for the Sunland Derby.
9. Lookin At Lucky
The plans have changed for the Champ. Baffert says he will most likely go in the Rebel.
10. Connemara
The Lane’s End Stakes on March 27 will be this talented colt’s final race before the Derby.
Keep an eye on: Caracortado, Jackson Bend

Dropped from list: None

Upcoming Races
3/6/10 – Gotham Stakes (G3) (1 1/16 miles, Aqueduct) $250,000
3/6/10 – Palm Beach Stakes (G3) (1 1/8 miles Turf, Gulfstream Park) $150,000
3/6/10 – Sham Stakes (G3) (1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita Park) $150,000
Last Week’s Races
2/26/10 – Sportsman’s Paradise Stakes (1 mile, Delta Downs) Winner: Backtalk
2/27/10 – Sham Stakes (G3) (1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita Park) Rescheduled for 3/6/10
2/27/10 – Borderland Derby (1 1/16 miles, Sunland Park) Winner: Storming Saint
2/27/10 – John Battaglia Memorial Stakes (1 1/16 miles, Turfway Park) Winner: Vow to Wager
Oaks Top Five
By: Seth Kochera
March 3, 2010 (Week 8)
1. Blind Luck
She’s back in action Saturday in the Santa Anita Oaks. Is she a Derby or Oaks contender?
2. Amen Hallelujah
Huge win over some very classy fillies. She’s now won graded stakes on dirt and synthetics.
3. Hot Dixie Chick
Still no word on where she will surface again. It needs to be soon if she’s going to the Oaks.
4. She Be Wild
Her trainer has said she will go in the Ashland on April 3, but will she run again before that?
5. Sassy Image
She put in a uncharacteristic effort last Saturday. She ran wide the whole way, fading to fifth.
Keep an eye on: Beautician, Christine Daae

Dropped from list: Awesome Maria

Upcoming Races
3/6/10 – Santa Anita Oaks (G1) (1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita Park) $250,000
3/6/10 – Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) (1 1/8 miles Turf, Gulfstream Park) $150,000
Last Week’s Races
2/26/10 – Green Oaks (1 mile, Delta Downs) Winner: Sheer Beauty
2/27/10 – Davona Dale Stakes (G2) (1 mile, Gulfstream Park) Winner: Amen Hallelujah