More Derby Prep

More Derby Prep!

Dean's Kitten looked good winning the Lane's End (3/27), but fractions were slow, and he had a beautiful trip. Awfully well bred horse, and if he continues to train well, could be part of the top group. In his only other start on dirt, he did finish 5th to the current fave - Eskendereya back in October at Belmont. The 2nd place finisher - Northern Giant, looked like he had no excuse and just hung the last 1/16 or so.

Odysseus' Tampa Bay Derby looked good - until the runner up (Schoolyard Dreams) came back and got his head jerked by Eskendereya in the Wood Apr-4. He (Odysseus) is awfully well bred, and may take a step forward off that race, we'll see in the Apr-10 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

I think Caracortado (4th in the Santa Anita Derby) is the 'wise-guy' horse; there's one every year. Folks desperate for a value play latch onto a horse that seems likely to improve, and talk themselves into the scenario in which the horse can win. Caracortado would have to improve leaps and bounds to be in the same realm as Eskendereya, or even Odysseus.

So who have I not commented on amongst the real contenders? Lookin' At Lucky - last year's 2yo Champion. Use him if you must - but horses that consistently get into trouble - will consistently find trouble - and its up to him and Garrett Gomez to prove me wrong.