Derby Six for 4/12/14
1. Hoppertunity
Any Given Saturday- Refugee by Unaccounted For
Career Statistics
Starts: 5
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $610,720
Career Statistics
Starts: 5
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $610,720
Connections:
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul
Derby Points: 95
He got exactly what he needed out of the Santa Anita Derby he didn't need the win. His solid second was very easy and he was hand ridden the entire stretch and yet still drew off and made ground on California Chrome in the gallop out. That kind of performance should set him up really well for a winning performance come Derby day I'm starting to get flashbacks of Real Quiet with this one. Even though Bayern didn't exactly boost his reputation I feel this one is breed more for distance than Bayern and strictly breeding and experience was Bayern's problem in the Arkansas Derby. I strongly feel this is one of the better three year olds in training and if the pace is as hot as I suspect it will be in the Derby this one is tactical and can pick up the pieces late if need be. All he has to do is stay in one piece till Derby day and get a little racing luck in the Derby.
2.Wicked Strong
Starts: 6
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $704,610
Trainer: James A. Jerkens
Owner: Centennial Farms
He got exactly what he needed out of the Santa Anita Derby he didn't need the win. His solid second was very easy and he was hand ridden the entire stretch and yet still drew off and made ground on California Chrome in the gallop out. That kind of performance should set him up really well for a winning performance come Derby day I'm starting to get flashbacks of Real Quiet with this one. Even though Bayern didn't exactly boost his reputation I feel this one is breed more for distance than Bayern and strictly breeding and experience was Bayern's problem in the Arkansas Derby. I strongly feel this is one of the better three year olds in training and if the pace is as hot as I suspect it will be in the Derby this one is tactical and can pick up the pieces late if need be. All he has to do is stay in one piece till Derby day and get a little racing luck in the Derby.
Race Shown: 2014 Santa Anita Derby
Race Finish: 2nd
Race Link: http://youtu.be/a10u6V_Ldus
2.Wicked Strong
Hard Spun- Moyne Abbey by Charismatic
Career StatisticsStarts: 6
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 1
Earnings: $704,610
Connections
Jockey: Rajiv MaraghTrainer: James A. Jerkens
Owner: Centennial Farms
Derby Points: 102
His race in the Wood was very impressive, and he will be one of maybe four closers come Derby day that will be making up ground, thing is with a fast pace its hard to weave your way past tired horses, and there will be nineteen of them he will have to get by come Derby day. I love his pedigree he strongly reminds me of Pleasant Colony who won the Derby after taking the Wood maybe this one will follow in those big hoof prints. If he doesn't take the Derby watch out for this one in the Belmont something tells me a mile and a half will be no problem for this very special son of Hard Spun.
Starts: 10
Firsts: 6
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $1,134,850
I still don't quite know what to make of this colt he is either the one of the best horses I've seen or just another brilliant miler. I base my views on Derby horses with whether or not I think they can get the distance with this one if he can get the distance he is simply the best horse I have ever seen. That distance question is the only thing keeping him from being number one on my Derby list yes he is brilliant but how many times do I have to reiterate brilliant doesn't always win the Derby actually more often than not it doesn't. He needs to prove he can get the distance before I will call him anything other than brilliant. My worries about distance are not unfounded his pedigree is not exactly top tier with distance and I really didn't like the way he galloped out in the Santa Anita Derby which would warrant distance issues, guess we will have to wait till May.
Still not ready to give up on this one even if he doesn't win the Derby I feel this is one that once he figures everything out he could be one of the top three year olds around. Though he is green he showed an ability to rate last out which gives me confidence that he will be okay in the Derby hes only ranked this low due to his greenness which will only go away with racing experience.
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 4
Earnings: $414,687
Owner: Daniel J. Dougherty
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 2
Earnings: $666,428
His race in the Wood was very impressive, and he will be one of maybe four closers come Derby day that will be making up ground, thing is with a fast pace its hard to weave your way past tired horses, and there will be nineteen of them he will have to get by come Derby day. I love his pedigree he strongly reminds me of Pleasant Colony who won the Derby after taking the Wood maybe this one will follow in those big hoof prints. If he doesn't take the Derby watch out for this one in the Belmont something tells me a mile and a half will be no problem for this very special son of Hard Spun.
Race Shown: 2014 Wood Memorial
Race Finish: 1st
Race Link: http://youtu.be/a4jwGXrXETc
3. California Chrome
Lucky Pulpit- Love The Chase by Not For Love
Career Statistics:Starts: 10
Firsts: 6
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $1,134,850
Connections:
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: Art Sherman
Owner: Coburn, Steven and Martin, Perry
Trainer: Art Sherman
Owner: Coburn, Steven and Martin, Perry
Derby Points: 150
I still don't quite know what to make of this colt he is either the one of the best horses I've seen or just another brilliant miler. I base my views on Derby horses with whether or not I think they can get the distance with this one if he can get the distance he is simply the best horse I have ever seen. That distance question is the only thing keeping him from being number one on my Derby list yes he is brilliant but how many times do I have to reiterate brilliant doesn't always win the Derby actually more often than not it doesn't. He needs to prove he can get the distance before I will call him anything other than brilliant. My worries about distance are not unfounded his pedigree is not exactly top tier with distance and I really didn't like the way he galloped out in the Santa Anita Derby which would warrant distance issues, guess we will have to wait till May.
Race Shown: 2014 Santa Anita Derby
Race Finish: 1st
Race Link: http://youtu.be/a10u6V_Ldus
4.Ring Weekend
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Owner: St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds
4.Ring Weekend
Tapit- Free The Magic by Cryptoclearance
Career Statistics:
Starts: 7
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 2
Earnings: $305,660
Starts: 7
Firsts: 2
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 2
Earnings: $305,660
Connections:
Jockey: Alan GarciaTrainer: H. Graham Motion
Owner: St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds
Derby Points: 50
Still not ready to give up on this one even if he doesn't win the Derby I feel this is one that once he figures everything out he could be one of the top three year olds around. Though he is green he showed an ability to rate last out which gives me confidence that he will be okay in the Derby hes only ranked this low due to his greenness which will only go away with racing experience.
Race Shown: 2014 Calder Derby
Race Finish: 2nd
Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/CRC/2014/4/5/7/calder-derby
5. Ride On Curlin
Curlin- Magical Ride by Storm Cat
Career Statistics:
Starts: 9Firsts: 2
Seconds: 2
Thirds: 4
Earnings: $414,687
Connections:
Jockey: Jon Kenton Court
Trainer: William G. GowanOwner: Daniel J. Dougherty
Derby Points: 55
Everyone who knows me knows I love my Curlin's and this one is no exception. I was waiting to put him on here after the Arkansas Derby hoping he would revert back to his come from behind tactics and he did and ran on very impressively. If this colt pulls that same tactic in the Derby he could very well win he is one that seems to keep getting better and learning which is exactly the horse you need on the Triple Crown trail.
Race Shown: 2014 Arkansas Derby
Race Finish: 2nd
Race Link:http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/OP/2014/4/12/11/arkansas-derby-gr-i
6. Danza
Street Boss- Champagne Royal by French Deputy
Career Statistics:
Starts: 4Firsts: 2
Seconds: 0
Thirds: 2
Earnings: $666,428
Connections
Jockey: Joe BravoTrainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Derby Points: 100
Being by Street Boss we don't really know how far this colt really wants to go but the way he strode out it looks like he may only get better with distance. He is also very tactical and runs very professional for a horse with only four starts he could be a serious challenge come may. He is also incredibly consistent and very workmanlike he made the very talented Bayern look like a cheap horse which is enough for him to join my list. I feel he does get a strong enough stamina influence from his dam so though he may be border line for a mile and a quarter I think he will be just fine come May.
Race Shown: 2014 Arkansas Derby
Race Finish: 1st
Race Link: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/OP/2014/4/12/11/arkansas-derby-gr-i
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