Kentucky Derby Top Six for 12/1/13

Kentucky Derby Top Six 12/1/13 

After some losses and disappointing preformances this past week there are some minor changes on my Derby Top Six including dropping off of Green Mask due to his loss in the Real Quiet Stakes I feel he doesn't want any part of a mile and a quarter and he may not want to run on dirt. That being said lets get started... 

1. Honor Code 

A.P. Indy - Serena's Cat by Storm Cat
2013 Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $388,000
Earnings Per Start: $129,333


Jockey:Javier Castellano
Trainer:Claude R. McGaughey III
Owner:Lane's End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm LLC
Breeder:Dell Ridge Farm, LLC

After a slightly awkward beginning in the Remsen Stakes he showed a new demension being able to press the pace and he fought gallantly till the end winning by a nose. He showed he will run as far as the day is long and this is one that every start he seems to get better and learns something new and that forward progress is what you look for in a top class Derby contender. 

Race Link: http://youtu.be/6gCn7m4MKhc 

Race Shown: 2013 Remsen Stakes 

Finish: 1st 

2. New Years Day 

Street Cry (IRE)- Justwhistledixie by Dixie Union

Jockey:Martin Garcia
Trainer:Bob Baffert
Owner:West, Gary and Mary
Breeder:Clearsky Farms


2013 Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $1,154,000
Earnings Per Start: $384,667

New Year's Day reminds me a lot of Street Sense he's by Street Cry like Street Sense was he seems to have the same explosive style Street Sense had and on top of it all they both won the Breeders Cup Juvenile while they were just starting to hit their best form. New Year's Day is another that will get better as the distances get longer his mother was a multiple graded stakes winner she grabbed wins in the Davona Dale and Bonnie Miss Stakes in 2009. New Year's Day could be the next Breeders Cup Juvenile winner to take the Kentucky Derby and with Bob Baffert as his trainer you know he will be ready come the First Saturday in May.

Race Shown: 2013 Breeders Cup Juvenile
Finish: 1st

3. Shared Belief
Candy Ride (ARG)- Common Hope by Storm Cat
Jockey:Corey S. Nakatani
Trainer:Jerry Hollendorfer
Owner:Jungle Racing LLC, Hollendorfer, J., Litt, J., Solis II, A. and Todaro, G.
Breeder:Pam and Martin Wygod

2013 Statistics:
Starts: 2
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $76,200
Earnings Per Start: $38,100


Shared Belief freaked in his last start the Hollywood Prevue Stakes at Hollywood Park and I feel this is another that will like added distance only question mark is if he will handle the dirt, many Candy Ride's don't fare as well on the dirt as they do on synthetics and turf. That being said Storm Cat on the bottom should help him handle the dirt but he needs to answer that question soon or expect him to drop out of my top six. His next start sounds like it's going to be the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park so I don't expect him to answer the dirt question until next year.


Race Link: http://youtu.be/QIkKG3Z3pRU
Race Shown: 2013 Hollywood Prevue Stakes
FInish: 1st

4. Cairo Prince
Pioneer Ofthe Nile- Holy Bubbette by Holy Bull

Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Kiaran P. McLaughlin
Owner: Namcook Stables, Braverman, Paul, Clarke, Harvey A. and Robertson III, W. Craig
Breeder: Richard L. Elam & Katherine H. Elam


2013 Statistics:
Starts: 2
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $192,000
Earnings Per Start: $96,000

We learned a lot about Cairo Prince in the Remsen and he certainly ran a huge race and showed some heart when fighting Honor Code looks like he may like added distance and he answered a lot of questions in his loss. Though he did lose he showed enough to be kept on here and in a lofty position though I like the others ahead of him if he keeps improving he could move up a couple spots.  

Race Link: http://youtu.be/6gCn7m4MKhc 

Race Shown: 2013 Remsen Stakes 

Finish: 2nd 

5. Kobe's Back
Flatter- Well by Well Decorated
Jockey:Rafael Bejarano
Trainer:John W. Sadler
Owner:C R K Stable
Breeder:Joanne R. Mummert  

2013 Statistics:
Starts: 2
Firsts: 1
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $80,000
Earnings Per Start: $40,000


Kobe's Back has run in nothing but Stakes races and has shown he has loads of untapped talent being by Flatter this one if going to get better as the distances get longer and as he gets older I fully expect this one to be peaking come Kentucky Derby day so don't be surprised if he doesn't really impress that much along the Kentucky Derby Trail but expect him to run huge on Derby day. He ran a tough second to Shared Belief last out in the Hollywood Prevue but he had a long time off before that race so I feel he needed the race and don't be surprised if he comes rolling home in the CashCall Futurity and avenges his defeat.




Race Link: http://youtu.be/QIkKG3Z3pRU
Race Shown: 2013 Hollywood Prevue Stakes
Finish: 2nd  

6. Tapiture 

Tapit- Free Spin by Olympio  

Jockey:Ricardo Santana, Jr.

Trainer:Steven M. Asmussen

Owner:Ron Winchell

Breeder:Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC 

2013 Statistics:
Starts: 4
Firsts: 1
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 2
Earnings: $140,838
Earnings Per Start: $35,210 

A newcomer to my Derby Top Six this one impressed in his win this weekend in the Kentucky Jockey Club though he seems a little green he will get better with racing experience. He has the pedigree to get a mile and a quarter and he has the trainer to get him to the Kentucky Derby this one will get better with racing experience. Breaking your maiden in a stakes race is something you cannot ignore and that being said that is why he joins the Derby Six this week. 

Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/CD/2013/11/30/11/kentucky-jockey-club-s 

Race Shown: 2013 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes 

Finish: 1st