It has
been a little while since my last
Kentucky Derby list and now that the first major Derby Prep is out of the way, and all is said and done, I feel some changes are in order. Enjoy the latest Dead Heat Derby Top 12!
1.) Itsmyluckyday- He
is the fastest three year old in training at this point of time, and what really
makes him dangerous is he can carry that speed. He just beat the two year old
champion, and broke the track record in the process, when winning the grade
three Holy Bull Stakes.
2.) Violence- Still
has all the positive attributes about him, but right now I simply cannot deny
Itsmyluckyday the top spot. He’s been working great at Palm Meadows for a
return in the Fountain of Youth. His three year old bow is much anticipated and
the result could be what earns him top spot again.
3.) Shanghai Bobby-
Lost absolutely nothing in defeat, when second in the Holy Bull. Note that, he
too, broke the track record and was 11 ½ lengths clear of his nearest
competitor. He did all the dirty work up front, was coming off a near 3 month
layoff going 8.5 furlongs first time back and he still ran like a champ. No
reason to jump ship.
4.) Will Take Charge- Oaklawn
always has something to say in the Derby and it looks like it might again this
year after the Smarty Jones Stakes. This colt was wide on both turns and still
had plenty of kick down the stretch to nail the leader and hold off late
charging always in a Tiz.
5.) Always in a Tiz- Was
third in this year’s edition of the Smarty Jones and a darn impressive one at
that. He was stuck down on the rail for most of the race and didn’t get room
until Will Take Charge had done just that. Once in the clear he came like a
freight train. If he can find a way to keep out of trouble he’ll be a dangerous
one.
6.) Oxbow- Check this
out, the Coach, D. Wayne Lukas is back with two on the Derby trail. Oxbow was a
tired fourth in the CashCall Futurity last year, but returned with an 11 length
route in his first outing at three. Fair Grounds form hasn’t held up recently
in the Kentucky Derby, but when D. Wayne is hot I wouldn’t underestimate what
hiscan accomplish.
7.) Palace Malice-
Returned with a nice second in his three year old bow. He was off a long time
and was knocking off some rust, plus seven furlongs is not the easiest distance
to comeback at. With his natural speed mixed with a pedigree that holds plenty
of stamina I simply cannot wait to see this talented Curlin colt stretch out.
8.) Frac Daddy- Still
on the list, but only because of his ability. He showed nothing in the Holy
Bull, but ran greenly and reportedly grabbed a quarter. He’s going to have to
start again soon if he wants a shot at some Derby points. Hopefully he can
redeem himself.
9.) Overanalyze- He just
missed making my last list, but after a sharp half mile work and already
knowing that he has both talent and grit, I simply couldn’t keep him off. I still
want to see him put two wins together, but until then I think I can live with
him being the two year old that ran the fastest race around two turns, in 2012.
10.) Delhomme- Impressive winner in his second outing and was thrown to the wolves in the Remsen Stakes, where he set the pace to finish a game third. He is pointing towards the Risen Star, a race that is looking to be shaping up to be quite contentious.
11.)Bradester- This
one is going to get the chance to prove himself in the Fountain of Youth. He
impressed me in his maiden and he impressed me again on New Year’s Day. Cerro also coming back to win this past weekend flatters him a bit. Needs
to learn to switch to his right lead and will face a big class test when pitted
against Violence, but as for now he is still an unknown with a great deal of
potential.
12.) Proud Strike- I
am hoping to see this one in the Risen Star, maybe against Oxbow? Like
Bradester, he will be facing a stiff class test if he should lock horns with
that one, but the talent and potential is there and he has the breeding. Just a
matter of waiting and seeing if he is the real deal.