We shouldn’t be surprised seeing as it happens every year and
practically on a weekly basis along the Derby trail, but when a highly regarded
contender is ruled out it stings every time. Fed Biz, a lightly raced yet ultra impressive maiden and
allowance winner needs time off due to a hind leg injury and will miss the
Kentucky Derby. Although he sat at
$0 on the Graded Earnings list (updated below), Fed Biz would have been among
the favorites in his next Derby prep try// Not sure if it’s prestige, timing, convenience,
or inside politicking, but the Florida Derby (G1) is looking like a ridiculously
contentious spot and inevitable key race for the Kentucky Derby. Led by Derby favorite Union Rags, the
race could feature top contenders El Padrino and Alpha along
with respected Take Charge Indy and News Pending. Logically you would think El Padrino would fly back to
Louisiana and Alpha back to Aqueduct- racetracks they have mastered and million
dollar preps that don’t feature Union Rags- however their experienced trainers
seem to not be concerned with running into a potential buzz saw// The always odd
OBS Sales stakes card took place today.
Several graded earners that looked more promising last year than this
year, Vexor and Big Blue Nation, failed to fire. First time starter Crafty
Unicorn beat the latter in the 1 1/16 mile stakes// Steve Haskin released his
always informative Derby Dozen. He
has Creative Cause in the top spot// more…
Graded Earnings
Updated
Graded Earnings List (Churchill Downs)
Updated Contender List
CTD
Contenders updated 3/12 (Chasing The Derby)
Articles
A
thinking problem (ESPN)
Nothing
certain in Derby prep wars (The Saratogian)
Five foreign horses among top 50 earners for
Kentucky Derby (The Downey Profile)
Road to the Kentucky Derby and more with America’s
best racing (Bleacher Report)
Rankings
Steve
Haskin’s Derby Dozen [video]
(Bloodhorse)
Works
Swag Daddy- AQU-
5F- 1.00:11- B- 1/5
I'll Have Another- HOL- 1M- 1.42:60- H- 1/1
Stoney Fleece- SA- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 10/28
Drill- SA-
4F- 50:20- H- 16/21
Discreet Dancer- PMM- 4F- 49:44- B- 22/40
Windsurfer- PMM-
4F- 49:03- B- 12/40
Ender Knievel- PMM- 5F- 1.01:01 B- 4/13
El Padrino- PMM-
4F- 48:08 B- 2/40
Gemologist- PMM-
4F- 49:77- B- 25/40
Z Dager- FG-
5F- 1.01:80- B- 7/24 (Good)
Shared Property- FG- 5F- 1.02:60 B- 19/24 (Good)
Adirondack King- OP- 4F-
49:40- 2/12 (Muddy)
Reckless Jerry- OP- 4F- 49:40 B- 3/12 (Muddy)
Sabercat- OP- 4F- 50:80-
6/12 (Muddy)
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter
“Getting the sense most think
Mark Valeski is fraudulent. I keep reading El Padrino's skinny win over MV as
knock on EP. I think otherwise”- Marcus Hersch via Twitter
