Updated - Top Kentucky Derby Contenders, Videos plus Several others..
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Updated - Top Kentucky Derby Contenders, Videos plus Several others to keep an eye on
2008 Kentucky Derby Top Contenders
The Top 15 Listed Alphabetically: Last Update February 25, 2008 1:33 pm EST plus several others to keep an eye on - by Horse Racing | Daily Racing Reports
ANAK NAKEL - Finished a disappointing 8th in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. It was his first start of the year and his only start at Gulfstream. It is possible that he just didn't like the track or plainly needed the start. The follow up week will paint a better picture as the racing news unfolds. 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: Fountain of Youth (G2) | VIDEO: Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) NEXT START - TBA
BLACKBERRY ROAD - Underrated to say the least. 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 - Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 8 at Fair Grounds.
COLONEL JOHN - Shows a nice work tab recently including a 7f bullet on February 19 and a 5f drill in :58.3 (bullet best of 60 that morning for 5f) at Hollywood Park on February 7. He has worked 6f and 7f several times and should be in top condition for the Sham. 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.
COOL COAL MAN - Burst on to the scene with a game victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth by a 1/2 length. He sat second flight in the race and was just 2 lengths back at the 2nd call. Took over on the stretch turn and fended off a gritty Elysium Fields down the lane. He improved his final time for 9 furlongs by 8 lengths over his 3yo debut at Gulfstream (also a win) in a 2nd level allowance event on January 26. Has 2 wins as a 2yo before coming up rank in the Jockey Club Stakes. Nick Zito has this son of Mineshaft on his best game right now and there is the nagging question whether or not he has peaked to early or just beat a bunch that needed the race. If he's really that good it won't matter.Owned by Robert Lapenta who also has WAR PASS. VIDEO: Fountain of Youth (G2) NEXT START - TBA.
COURT VISION - One-paced colt passed tired rivals to finish 3rd in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on February 24. Not a bad 3yo debut and could certainly improve off of this race. Has won 3 of 5 lifetime (and 2 placings) 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: Fountain of Youth (G2) | VIDEO: Remsen Stakes (G2) NEXT START - TBA.
DENIS OF CORK - Remains undefeated after 3 career starts including a big win in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on February 18. He did benefit in that race by being the best closer while catching the benefit of a fast pace up front. This colt broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last year so there's no question that he likes the track. He's by sire HARLAN'S HOLIDAY and out of the UNBRIDLED mare UNBRIDLED GIRL. VIDEO: Southwest Stakes (G3) NEXT START - Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 15 at Oaklawn.
2008 Kentucky Derby Top Contenders
The Top 15 Listed Alphabetically: Last Update February 25, 2008 1:33 pm EST plus several others to keep an eye on - by Horse Racing | Daily Racing Reports
ANAK NAKEL - Finished a disappointing 8th in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. It was his first start of the year and his only start at Gulfstream. It is possible that he just didn't like the track or plainly needed the start. The follow up week will paint a better picture as the racing news unfolds. 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: Fountain of Youth (G2) | VIDEO: Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) NEXT START - TBA
BLACKBERRY ROAD - Underrated to say the least. 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 - Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 8 at Fair Grounds.
COLONEL JOHN - Shows a nice work tab recently including a 7f bullet on February 19 and a 5f drill in :58.3 (bullet best of 60 that morning for 5f) at Hollywood Park on February 7. He has worked 6f and 7f several times and should be in top condition for the Sham. 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.
COOL COAL MAN - Burst on to the scene with a game victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth by a 1/2 length. He sat second flight in the race and was just 2 lengths back at the 2nd call. Took over on the stretch turn and fended off a gritty Elysium Fields down the lane. He improved his final time for 9 furlongs by 8 lengths over his 3yo debut at Gulfstream (also a win) in a 2nd level allowance event on January 26. Has 2 wins as a 2yo before coming up rank in the Jockey Club Stakes. Nick Zito has this son of Mineshaft on his best game right now and there is the nagging question whether or not he has peaked to early or just beat a bunch that needed the race. If he's really that good it won't matter.Owned by Robert Lapenta who also has WAR PASS. VIDEO: Fountain of Youth (G2) NEXT START - TBA.
COURT VISION - One-paced colt passed tired rivals to finish 3rd in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on February 24. Not a bad 3yo debut and could certainly improve off of this race. Has won 3 of 5 lifetime (and 2 placings) 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: Fountain of Youth (G2) | VIDEO: Remsen Stakes (G2) NEXT START - TBA.
DENIS OF CORK - Remains undefeated after 3 career starts including a big win in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on February 18. He did benefit in that race by being the best closer while catching the benefit of a fast pace up front. This colt broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last year so there's no question that he likes the track. He's by sire HARLAN'S HOLIDAY and out of the UNBRIDLED mare UNBRIDLED GIRL. VIDEO: Southwest Stakes (G3) NEXT START - Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 15 at Oaklawn.
Comments
$100 says it adds to the confusion :laugh: