A lot of movement...I am not sold on Prospect Park yet but those Cal-based horses are looking stronger and stronger week in and week out.
Its funny - each week I think the results will clarify the Derby options and they just seem to become murkier and murkier except for Dortmund who seems to be stepping up.
1. American Pharoah (Pioneer of the Nile by Empire Maker – Littleprincessemama by Yankee Gentleman by Storm Cat) 60
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Next Race: G1 Arkansas Derby, 9 furlongs
G2 Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (50)
G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
G1 Del Mar Futurity, 7 furlongs
This week is "go" time. If he performs as well as his works have been this race could be special.
2. Dortmund (Big Brown by Boundary – Our Josephina by Tale Of The Cat) 70
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Next Race: G1 Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs
G2 San Felipe Stakes, 8.5 Furlongs (50)
G3 Robert Lewis Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
G1 Los Alamitos Futurity, 8.5 furlongs (10)
He answered the one question I had about him - could he show that he can best other horses besides Firing Line and Mr. Z. A strong field in the San Felipe.
3. Upstart (Flatter by A.P. Indy - by Touch Gold 36
Trainer: Richard Violette
Next Race: G1 Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs
2nd G2 Fountain of Youth, 8.5 furlongs (20)
G3 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs (10)
3rd G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs (2)
2nd G1 Champagne Stakes, 8 furlongs (4)
Funny Cide Stakes, 6.5 furlongs
Is he going in the Wood or the Florida Derby. I heard he left Florida and then he didn't.
4. Carpe Diem (Giants Causeway by Storm Cat – Rebridled Dreams – Unbridled Song) 64
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Next Race: G1 Bluegrass Stakes, 9 furlongs.
G2 Tampa Bay Derby, 9 furlongs (50)
2nd G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs (4)
G1 Breeders Cup Futurity, 8.5 furlongs (10)
5. Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense by Street Cry – Winner by South African Triple Crown winner Horse Chestnut) 10
Trainer: James Cassidy
Next Race: G1 Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs
7th G2 San Felipe, 8.5 furlongs
G2 Delta Jackpot, 8.5 furlongs
G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, 6.5 furlongs (10)
He had some rust to shake off. Let's see how far he moves up his next outing.
I do not think he liked the Santa Anita surface. He was tight early and never seemed to get comfortable. I would be interested to hear what Mike Smith had to say.
6. Far From Over (Blame by Arch—Alchemist, by A.P. Indy) 10
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Next Race: G2 Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs/G1 Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs
G3 Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
I did not like skipping the Gotham. He is mature beyond his experience, but I question his fitness for the Derby. Can he do it? Maybe. However, he will not be as fit as horses like Dortmund, Upstart, International Star, and El Kabeir.
6. Texas Red (Afleet Alex by Northern Afleet – Rematuelle by Jeune Homme by Nureyev) 12
Trainer: Keith Desormaeaux
Next Race: G1 Santa Anita Derby/G1 Arkansas Derby
2nd G2 San Vicente, 7 furlolngs
G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs (10)
2nd G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (2)
If he is not back galloping by this week, he will be dropped since I see little chance of him making the gate in the Kentucky Derby because of fitness issues.
8. Bold Conquest (Curlin by Smart Strike – One For Jim by Distorted Humor) 17
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Next Race: G1 Arkansas Derby, 9 furlongs
3rd G2 Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
G3 Southwest Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (1)
3rd G1 Breeders Cup Futurity, 8.5 furlongs (2)
G3 Iroquois Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (4)
He made his first start of 2015 and appeared to be closing well. He needs to move forward.
10. Competitive Edge (Super Saver by Maria's Mon – Magdalena's Choice by Cape Town)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Next Race: G2 Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs?
G1 Hopeful Stakes, 7 furlongs
He's still here waiting for the 1st start.
9. El Kabeir (Scat Daddy by Johannesberg - Great Venue by Unbridled Song) (74)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Next race: G1 Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs
G2 Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (50)
2nd G3 Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (4)
G3 Jerome Handicap, 8 furlongs (10)
G2 Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs (10)
2nd G3 Nashua Stakes, 8 furlongs
4th G1 Champagne Stakes, 1 mile
He won it in impressive fashion. The field was not as strong as it might have been, but he won easily putting his Withers loss in the rearview mirror.
10. Lord Nelson (Pulpit by A.P. Indy - African Jade by Seeking the Gold)6
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Next Race: G1 Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs
4th G2 San Felipe, 8.5 furlongs (5)
G2 San Vicente, 7 furlongs
5th G2 Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs
Speakeasy Stakes, 6 furlongs
4th G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (1)
11. Frosted (Tapit by Pulpit – Fast Cookie by Deputy Minisiter) 13
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Next Race: G1 Florida Derby, 9 furlongs
4th, G2 Fountain of Youth, 8.5 furlongs (5)
2nd G3 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs (4)
2nd G1 Remsen Stakes, 9 furlongs (4)
What to do with Frosted? Had to drop him some. The track was tiring. Gulfstream Park overcompensated. Frosted may have won had this been the same track he ran over on for the Holy Bull.
12.International Star (Fusaichi Pegasus by Mr. Prospector - Parlez by French Deputy) (71)
Trainer: MIchael Maker
Next Race: G2 Louisiana Derby, 9 furlongs
G2 Risen Star, 8.5 furlongs (50)
G3 Lecomte, 8 furlongs (10)
4th G2 Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs
9th Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, 8 furlongs
G3 Grey Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
2nd G2 With Anticipation Stakes, 8 furlongs
Rockville Centre, 6 furlongs
Have to mention this son of FuPeg at this point. He is really moving forward.
Honorable Mentions
Ocean Knight (Curlin by Smart Strike - Ocean by Stormy Atlantic by Storm Cat)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Next Race: G1 Wood Memorial
G2 Tampa Bay Derby, 8.5 furlongs
Sam F. Davis, 8.5 furlongs
Well, this was his surface and he through in a clunker. That happens. We'll see how he does next outing, but he has 0 Derby points.
Classy Class (Discreetly Mine by Mineshaft –Collegiate by Saarland) 13
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Next Race: G1 Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs
3rd G3 Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (10)
3rd G3 Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (2)
4th G2 Remsen Stakes, 9 furlongs (1)
Can he move forward enough his next outing to make it into the Derby field?
Bolo (Temple City by Dynaformer - Aspen Mountain by Chief Seattle by Seattle Slew) 10
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Next Race: G1 Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs
3rd G2 San Felipe Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
Eddie Logan Stakes, 1 mile
He finished third so either he hated the dirt and still ran well or he had no problem with it. Can he move forward in a crowded and strong California-based Derby crop?
He seemed like he had a ton of run in him and that dirt was no problem at all.
Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid by Kingmambo - Stormy B by Cherokee Run (50)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Next Race: G1 Florida Derby, 9 furlongs
1st by DQ Fountain of Youth Stakes, 8.5 furlongs (50)
Love his pedigree. He has the points. He just needs to move forward. Will there be anyone in the Florida Derby to take him on?
Acceptance (Vronsky by Danzig – Allswellthatnswell by Perfect Mandate)
Trainer: Donald Warren
Next Race: San Felipe Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
4th California Cup, 8.5 furlongs
King Glorious Stakes
Golden State Juvenile Stakes
This will be his last chance to shine.