Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily - Day 82
Fillies have accounted for themselves quite well in Triple Crown races in recent years. Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness in 2009. Rags to Riches was best in the Belmont in 2007. Both fillies ended long droughts for their gender in the respective Classics. As far as the Kentucky Derby, it has been a little longer, but both Genuine Risk and Winning Colors were able to win the Run for the Roses in the 1980’s. There has not been many fillies to attempt the Derby in the 22 years since Winning Colors. The short list includes: Serena’s Song (1995), Three Ring and Excellent Meeting (1999), the ill-fated Eight Belles (2008), and Devil May Care (2010). Only Eight Belles came close at the wire, finishing 2nd to Big Brown. Will there be a filly in 2011 that makes a run on the First Saturday in May? Chances are slim.
Scanning this year’s Triple Crown nomination list, it appears that it will be unlikely to see any fillies in America’s premiere race, let alone winning it. Of course there is the opportunity to be supplemented before the Derby, but at the moment there are only four fillies on the nomination list, and Turbulent Descent, one of the top fillies in California, is the only one of note. The other three are current unknowns: Fantasy of Flight, New Hyde Park, and Violadellamora. The likelihood of Turbulent Descent running in the Derby took a big hit when she was beaten by another filly Zazu in the recent Las Virgenes Stakes.
The top two fillies on my current Kentucky Oaks list, Kathmanblu, and Dancinginherdreams, were not nominated, and to this point their connections look more than satisfied to point their stars for the Oaks. Which leads me to believe as twenty horses line up for this year’s Kentucky Derby, there will not be a filly in the bunch.
[Could any fillies on HRN's current list of 2011 Kentucky Oaks Contenders compete if pointed for the Derby?]
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In other Derby doings, Uncle Mo tops the freshly released Graded Stakes Earnings Top 20 list:
1. Uncle Mo $1,260,000
2. Gourmet Dinner $700,000
3. Boys At Tosconova $532,060 - Off the Derby Trail.
4. J P’s Gusto $490,000
5. Comma to the Top $456,000
6. Turbulent Descent $295,550
7. Soldat $270,000
8. Rogue Romance $258,000
9. Dialed In $240,000
10. Clubhouse Ride $210,000
11. To Honor and Serve $210,000
12. Decisive Moment $200,000
13. Jaycito $200,000
14. Santiva $180,254
15. Anthony’s Cross $162,000
16. Riveting Reason $147,500
17. Blue Laser $143,502
18. Willcox Inn $139,000
19. Silver Medallion $124,334
20. Brethren $120,000
20. Sweet Ducky $120,000
2. Gourmet Dinner $700,000
3. Boys At Tosconova $532,060 - Off the Derby Trail.
4. J P’s Gusto $490,000
5. Comma to the Top $456,000
6. Turbulent Descent $295,550
7. Soldat $270,000
8. Rogue Romance $258,000
9. Dialed In $240,000
10. Clubhouse Ride $210,000
11. To Honor and Serve $210,000
12. Decisive Moment $200,000
13. Jaycito $200,000
14. Santiva $180,254
15. Anthony’s Cross $162,000
16. Riveting Reason $147,500
17. Blue Laser $143,502
18. Willcox Inn $139,000
19. Silver Medallion $124,334
20. Brethren $120,000
20. Sweet Ducky $120,000
