The Road to the 2008 Kentucky Derby...
FlyinLate
Senior Member
Derby Prep Schedule | Kentucky Derby 134
I know there was some talk on this last week, figured I'd post this for everyone. Lists all prep races to the derby and afterwards has top three finishers. Looks like El Gato Malo just enlisted.
I know there was some talk on this last week, figured I'd post this for everyone. Lists all prep races to the derby and afterwards has top three finishers. Looks like El Gato Malo just enlisted.
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ANAK NAKEL - Won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on November 24 at Churchill. That was his 2yo finale. Previously he finished a very game 2nd in the Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct for a mile. This son of VICTORY GALLOP is bred top and bottom (QUIET AMERICAN - damsire) to get a classic distance and his run style and tactical speed is perfect for the Derby. Victory Gallop finished second in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) before spoiling the Triple Crown bid of Real Quiet in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont S. (G1). Trained by Nick Zito who knows how to win this race.
VIDEO: Kentucky Jockey Club (G2)
NEXT START - Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb. 24 at Gulfstream.
BLACKBERRY ROAD - Improved position to finish 5th out of 11 in the Grade 3 Risen Star on February 9 at the Fairgrounds. He had a rough trip in this race as there was no room for him to run through all of the stretch. Was 2nd best in the Grade 3 Lecomte going 1 mile at the Fairgrounds on January 12. This GONE WEST (a proven source of speed and stamina) colt also finished 2nd in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes behind ANAK NAKEL. Dogwood Stable has a one run closer on their hands here who should benefit if there is a fast pace up front.
VIDEO: Risen Star Stakes (G3) | VIDEO: Lecomte Stakes (G3)
NEXT START - TBA.
COLONEL JOHN - Got up for 2nd in the Grade 1 $750,000 Cash Call Futurity going 1 1/16 miles over the all-weather surface at Hollywood Park on December 22. Won the $100,000 Real Quiet Stakes at the same distance and track in November. This son of TIZNOW has an awesome late kick and is bred top and bottom (TURKOMAN - damsire) to run a classic distance.
VIDEO: Cash Call Futurity (G1)
NEXT START - Sham Stakes (G3) on March 1 at Santa Anita.
COURT VISION - Has won 3 of 4 lifetime (and 1 placing) including the Grade 2 Remsen going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on November 24 and the Grade 3 Iroquois for a mile at Churchill Downs on October 28. Bred by Farish, owned by WinStar, trained by Mott, sired by GULCH, just lots of reasons to like this well bred colt.
VIDEO: Remsen Stakes (G2)
NEXT START - Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb. 24 at Gulfstream.
CROWN OF THORNS - Lightly raced colt won the $200,000 Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on February 2 at Santa Anita. The son of REPENT layed patiently in 3rd down the backside then made an impressive move on the far turn to take the lead. Previously he broke his maiden in 2nd career start by 7 lengths, ridden out, on New Years Day at Santa Anita. In this race he was on a :44.2 (half) and 1:08.0 (6f) fast pace and still destroyed the field. Lots of raw talent.
VIDEO: Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2)
NEXT START - Sham Stakes (G3) on March 1 at Santa Anita.
EL GATO MALO - Which is Spanish for "The Bad Cat", is the gelded son of EL CORREDOR and is undefeated after 3 career starts. Of those three include the Grade 3 San Rafael going 1 mile on January 12 at Santa Anita (a track record performance) and the 1 mile $75k Gold Rush at Golden Gate on December 15. He has not been asked to run his best yet which means there's no telling how good he really can be. Very promising.
VIDEO: San Rafael (G3)
NEXT START - San Felipe Stakes (G2) on Mar. 15 at Santa Anita.
ETCHED - Won both his starts including the 1 mile, Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct on October 28. Bred and owned by the solid connections of the Darley Stable and is trained by the talented Kiaran McLaughlin. Has not been tested tough yet so his real quality level is yet to be determined.
VIDEO: Nashua Stakes (G3)
NEXT START - $250,000 U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) February 14 at Nad al Sheba
GEORGIE BOY - Won the Grade 2 San Vicente at 7 furlongs on February 10 at Santa Anita. He took over late in the stretch and drew off from favorite INTO MISCHIEF to win by 3 1/4 lengths. This Kathy Walsh trainee was also a winner at the 7 furlong Del Mar Futurity in his 2yo finale. He really doesn't have the pedigree for a classic distance but then again thoroughbreds in this day and age have been out-running their bloodlines.
VIDEO: San Vicente Stakes (G2)
NEXT START - Possibly Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 15 at Oaklawn.
GIANT MOON - May be a New York Bred however he is by GIANT'S CAUSEWAY (sire) with CAPOTE (damsire). The colt is undefeated after 4 starts which include 2 NY Bred stakes and the open $75k Count Fleet. He has some speed and likes to fight for the lead which is not really a solid recipe for Kentucky Derby success. Still deserves a mention here.
NEXT START - Aqueduct Gotham Stakes (G3) on March 8 at Aqueduct.
INTO MISCHIEF - Finished 2nd in the Grade 2 San Vicente at 7 furlongs on February 10 at Santa Anita but this was his 1st start of the year and is pointed towards the San Felipe Stakes on March 15 at Santa Anita. Won the Grade 1 Cash Call Futurity on Dec. 22 at Hollywood Park going 1 1/16 miles and was 2nd best in the 7f Hollywood Prevue. Owned by B. Wayne Hughes and trained by the capable Richard Mandella.
VIDEO: San Vicente Stakes (G2) | VIDEO: Cash Call Futurity (G1)
NEXT START - San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 15 at Santa Anita.
MONBA - Has the same sire and a very similar run style as Kentucky Derby winner MONARCHOS. This $200,000 yearling sale purchase was a late closing 4th in the Grade 1 $750,000 Cash Call Futurity (Dec. 22) but was only 2 lengths behind the winner. Previously he won a 1st level allowance going 1 mile at Churchill Downs. Trained by top dog Todd Pletcher who has been working him steadily down at Palm Beach Downs training track.
VIDEO: Cash Call Futurity (G1)
NEXT START - Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb. 24 at Gulfstream.
PYRO - Won the Grade 3 Risen Star on February 9 at the Fairgrounds. He was very impressive in victory as he was dead last as they turned for home and then weaved in and out of horses like they were standing still. Pyro came home the last 1/4 in a fierce 22.3! "Unbelievable," jockey Shaun Bridghmohan said, watching the replay of the stretch run afterward. "I never even hit him." It was more impressive seeing that he made such a great late move coming off a slow pace. He's been training with stablemete CURLIN which might just be a genius decision by trainer Steve Asmussen. Had a nice 2yo season finishing 2nd in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and in the Grade 1 Champagne. This PULPIT colt has never finished off the board in 5 career starts. He obviously has a very strong late move and has the ability to lay 2nd flight off of a fast pace.
VIDEO: Risen Star Stakes (G3) | VIDEO: Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1)
NEXT START - Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 8 at Fair Grounds.
WAR PASS - Has been smokin' in the a.m. in prep for 3yo season. Worked 4 furlongs in a blistering :46.4 over the deep training track at Palm Meadows on February 2. Won the 1 1/16 miles Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile which is no longer a jinxed race. Also won the Grade 1 Champagne at a mile in New York. This CHEROKKE RUN colt remains undefeated after 4 lifetime starts and is trained by the very capable Nick Zito. The colt is pure speed.
VIDEO: Breeders. Cup Juvenile (G1)
NEXT START - Allowance race on Feb. 23 at Gulfstream.
Z FORTUNE - Finished 2nd best in the Grade 3 Risen Star on February 9 at the Fairgrounds. He did have the lead briefly at the stretch turn but was no match for PYRO down the lane. New York bred was undefeated after 3 starts and got the unusual ship in victory at the Fair Grounds in the Grade 3 Lecomte. This SIPHON colt has good speed but is not a need to lead type. He proved that in the Lecomte.
VIDEO: Risen Star Stakes (G3) | VIDEO: Lecomte Stakes (G3)
NEXT START - TBA.
Z HUMOR - Won (dead heat) the $1 Million Delta Jackpot Stakes, Louisianas richest horse race, on December 7. Two races back he was a solid 3rd in the Grade 1 Champagne. This son of DISTORTED HUMOR is 4 for 5 on the board lifetime, owned by the Zayat Stables and trained by Bill Mott. He's got solid speed figures and good tactical speed. A.P. INDY (damsire) gives him some bottom.
NEXT START - Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 16 at Tampa Bay Downs.