Derby Six for 2/9/14

Derby Six for 2/9/14 

1. Top Billing

Curlin- Parade Queen by A.P. Indy
Career Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $56,835

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Owner: Farish, William S. and Hudson, Jr., E. J.
Breeder: W. S. Farish & E. J. Hudson, Jr. Irrevocable Trust

He moves to number one this week because I'm starting to get worried about Honor Code missing training due to his bruised ankles. Top Billing's next race will be the Fountain Of Youth Stakes if he gets a bit of a better pace in front of him expect him to win by many. He may not even need a good pace in front of him to win the Fountain Of Youth. He will get a rematch with Comissioner and I expect it to be a good race and I fully expect him to prove my belief in him. With him being by Curlin out of an A.P Indy mare this one will run all day and with the Derby trail seemingly packed with speed horses this year this one will come rolling and pick up the pieces. 

Race Shown: Allowance on 1/25/14

Finish: 1st 

Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2014/1/25/4/race-4-aoc-at-gp-on-1-25-14



2.Honor Code
A.P. Indy - Serena's Cat by Storm Cat
Career Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $388,000

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

Really worried about the amount of time this one is going to lose due to his ankles you dont want any hiccups at this crutical time on the Derby trail. You need a horse who is ready to fire come Derby day not one who is still playing catch up from Febuary. Another one who will run all day I fully expect him to retain his two year old form and get better as the distances get longer. The Gotham looks to be his next start where he could potentially meet up with Noble Moon another who looks like a serious contender at this point Honor Code with need to be firing on all cylinders to get by that one.

Race Shown: Remsen Stakes
Finish: 1st
Race Link: http://youtu.be/6gCn7m4MKhc


3. Candy Boy
Candy Ride (ARG) - She's An Eleven by In Excess (IRE)

Career Statistics
Starts: 6
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $305,600 

Jockey: Gary L. Stevens
Trainer:John W. Sadler 

Owner:C R K Stable 

Breeder:Lee Searing & Susan Searing 

Gary Stevens has got himself a good one with Candy Boy. His win in the Robert B. Lewis thoroughly impressed me he has a very nice stride to him and looks like he wants to go further in distance. To early to tell what his next target is but this is definietly one to keep an eye on. Though I do worry a tiny bit about distance with him he has a very limited amount of stamina in his pedigree but his broodmare sire did win at a mile and quarter.  

Race Shown: 2014 Robert B Lewis Stakes 

finish: 1st 

Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/SA/2014/2/8/8/robert-b-lewis-s-gr-ii 

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

Career Statistics:
Starts: 4
Firsts: 3
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $512,000 

Ladies and Gentleman we have another Verrazano on our hands a horse who looks brilliant but you have to strongly question his ability to get a mile quarter. With a sprinting mare on bottom and a stallion who also was suspect at a mile quarter on top. This colt may be brilliant at distances between one mile and a mile and an eigth. I know he won impressively but if you look closely his stride shortens about mid stretch after he takes the lead. He has done that in every single one of his races, it is one of the main reasons Honor Code was able to come back and win the Remesen against him. He needs to answer the distance questions before I put him any higher, and I'm telling you now if there was future wagering for the Breeders Cup I'd play this one in the Dirt Mile without a second thought.   

Race Shown: Holy Bull Stakes 

finish: 1st 

Race Link: http://youtu.be/7u6kBU0c8jI


5.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

Career Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 3
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $451,200

I'm very worried about this one as this one has missed two scheduled works now and on the Kentucky Derby trail you cannot have any hiccups without them seriously effecting your chances. That being said one he comes back he better be firing on all cylinders and ready to roll he better put on a show or else he will drop off. He is the your 2013 Champion 2 year old male but that doesnt bode well in the Kentucky Derby as the last two year old champ to win the Kentucky Derby was Street Sense in 2007. I still feel he is the best of the west though from what I've seen so far from the California contingent but that being said there are always surprises on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Race Shown: 2013 Cashcall Futurity
finish: 1st
Race Link: http://youtu.be/ry2YnRn3LaI

6. Noble Moon

Malibu Moon- Mambo Bell by Kingmambo

Jockey:Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer:Leah Gyarmati
Owner:Treadway Racing Stable

Breeder:Estate of Edward P. Evans 

Career Statistics:
Starts: 3
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $193,000

This one caught my eye after his closing rush in the Nashua but he affirmed my beliefs in him after a hard fought win in the Jerome Stakes the other day. He has shown he is an incredibly versatile colt and with his pedigree this one will run all day. Malibu Moon might have a second derby winner in a row with this colt leading the helm. 

Race Shown: 2014 Jerome Stakes 

Finish: 1st
Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/AQU/2014/1/4/8/jerome-s-gr-ii