Let the ‘Real’ Derby Preps Begin
According to KentuckyDerby.com,
there have been 20 “prep” races for the Kentucky Derby so far this year. That’s
29 events in which points have been awarded to Kentucky Derby hopefuls — points
that will ultimately determine who’s in and who’s out of America’s greatest
horse race.
I say nay.
I say that, in truth, there has been but one Kentucky
Derby prep (last weekend’s Florida Derby) run this year — with four more
remaining (Blue Grass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial and Arkansas
Derby) including two this weekend (the SA Derby and Wood).
No offense to the majestic thoroughbreds that competed in
this year’s Sham, LeComte, Smarty Jones or El Camino Real Derby, but those
races have produced exactly three Kentucky Derby champions since the death of
Andrew Johnson (he was the 17th president, kids) — and not one of
them actually won the “prep” in question:
Giacomo (3rd in 2005 Sham)
War Emblem (5th in 2002 LeComte)
Charismatic (2nd in 1999 El Camino Real Derby)
Meanwhile, Saturday’s Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby
have produced a total of 36 Kentucky Derby winners. So let’s take a look at
this weekend’s prestigious preps, starting with the Wood Memorial:
WOOD MEMORIAL
WOOD MEMORIAL
10th Aqueduct (4/5/14)
1-1/8 miles (dirt)
1-KID CRUZ
Recent podcast
guest Brian Zipse of Horse Racing
Nation loves this horse and I can see why. The son of Lemon Drop Kid comes
from the clouds and could get the perfect setup with the likes of Noble Moon,
Kristo, Schivarelli, Uncle Sigh and Social Inclusion in this field. What’s
more, his speed and pace figures are competitive. In his last start (the
Private Terms at Laurel), in which he rallied from 18 lengths back at the first
call, Kid Cruz earned a 98 Brisnet speed figure (today’s par is a 104) and a -7
late speed ration (LSR).
Fair Odds: 12-1
2-WICKED STRONG
His subpar speed rating in the Remsen can be excused due
to the slug-slow pace in that affair, but there is absolutely no excuse for his
subsequent impression of a tortoise in both the Holy Bull and an optional
claiming event.
Fair Odds: 30-1
3-NOBLE MOON
This guy appears to be moving in the right direction, but
he needs a major performance boost to compete with the likes of these. The
91-day layoff doesn’t inspire confidence either… although the last two workouts
— both at a mile — are very interesting indeed.
Fair Odds: 12-1
4-HARPOON
I suspect this son of Tapit was entered solely because
the connections expect — or are hoping for — a pace meltdown. Personally, I
think Harpoon’s subpar LSRs — a -12 in the Gotham and -10 in the Sam F. Davis —
make this hope a forlorn one.
Fair Odds: 15-1
5-LOS BORRACHOS
His latest LSR (-2) was great… but it was earned in a
race that featured an 84 Brisnet speed figure (BSF).
Fair Odds: 30-1
6-KRISTO
After a decent try in the Grade III Sham, this colt proved
unratable in the San Felipe and would up getting beat by 13 ½ lengths. The
presence of Martin Garcia in the saddle today makes me think the game plan will
be to stick much closer to the pace this time.
Fair Odds: 10-1
7-SCHIVARELLI
Son of the speedy Montbrook (6.3 AWD of progeny) is bred
to be a sprinter, but he’s very intriguing in this spot. Not only does he look
like the quickest of the quick, but his last race (granted, it was a lowly optional
claiming affair) wasn’t half-bad. Schivarelli earned a 98 BSF while recording a
positive pace profile in a dominant win on Feb. 21. Even a repeat of that
effort makes him interesting.
Fair Odds: 8-1
8-SAMRAAT
Love the way this colt has progressed. His speed figures
are solid, if not spectacular (he’s earned a 99 BSF in each of his last three
races), and his overall LSRs are second only to Effinex (who is much slower).
Forget the state-bred nonsense — those races were last year; this year, the son
of Noble Causeway has been nothing but money.
Fair Odds: 2-1
9-EFFINEX
To paraphrase those commercials, trainer David J. Smith
doesn’t win often, but when he does… well, he makes ‘em count. I suspect
Effinex is too slow to compete against the likes of these, but the colt did improve greatly in his first start
under Smith.
Fair Odds: 30-1
10-UNCLE SIGH
He’s game as they come, with solid overall speed and pace
figures. Price is key.
Fair Odds: 6-1
11-SOCIAL
INCLUSION
So, here’s the deal: Yes, this colt is talented, but, as
I’ve often said, finding a talented horse is not what betting the races is all about
— or even partially about. If you’re seeking the most talented contender in a
race, just check out the tote board.
Social Inclusion is likely to be favored today; on that,
most racing fans agree. And that favoritism will be based on one race — a wire-to-wire score in an
allowance race featuring an absurdly slow pace (0 early speed ration) over a
notoriously speed-favoring track (Gulfstream Park) on March 12.
Oh, and did I forget? Social Inclusion broke from post 1
that day.
Today, he starts from the 11-hole, faces several other
prominent speedsters and meets Grade I competition for the first time in his career.
Anybody taking 2-1 on his chances is either crazy or
incredibly brave… I’ll make a case for straitjackets.
Fair Odds: 9-2
SANTA ANITA DERBY
8th Santa Anita Park (4/5/14)
1-1/8 miles (dirt)
1-RPRETTYBOYFLOYD
Son of Bluegrass Cat with the low-percentage connections
is still a maiden, although his numbers are OK (not good, just OK).
Fair Odds: 20-1
2-FRIENDSWITH K
MILL
Do you want to know the story about how this colt got his
name? Yeah, neither do I. I just know it’s awful. That said, this Doug O’Neil
trainee put in a decent run last time while vastly improving his previous
numbers on dirt.
Fair Odds: 15-1
3-HOPPERTUNITY
Great last race (95 BSF, -5 LSR) and no knocks to speak
of.
Fair Odds: 5-2
4-BIG TIRE
Just broke his maiden (in start number six) and will need
to improve greatly to even get a sniff against this group.
Fair Odds: 20-1
5-CALIFORNIA
CHROME
His combination of overall speed and quickness looks
formidable. Interestingly, although California Chrome’s sire (Lucky Pulpit)
gets 80 percent of his wins in races under a mile, his progeny also show great
improvement, from a speed figure standpoint, in routes. Art Sherman trainee is
a legitimate favorite.
Fair Odds: 7-5
6-CANDY BOY
Still like this guy as a Kentucky Derby candidate, but
the reality is he will need to improve several lengths to visit the winner’s
circle today. Can he do it? Of course. Will he do it? That’s what fair odds are
for.
Fair Odds: 3-1
7-SCHOOLOFHARDROCKS
Looked short in the San Felipe, but exactly how good is
the son of Rock Hard Ten? I guess we’ll find out.
Fair Odds: 10-1
8-DUBLIN UP
Another maiden trying winners, except this guy is from
connections familiar to the Triple Crown trail — Donegal Racing. However, that
doesn’t make the Peter Miller trainee any faster
Fair Odds: 20-1
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