Now that the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is in the books, it is time to take an early look at the 2010 Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
In compiling this early list, I looked for proven graded class and strong breeding, but I also wanted to use promising, lightly raced sorts on the way up. Much will change in the coming weeks, but I had to start somewhere. Please click on the name of each horse to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes news, pedigree, results, and video.
1. Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) – Tasted defeat for the …read more

The 2nd day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be starting shortly, so let’s take a quick look at each event. Click on the name of each Cup race for a Horse Racing Nation preview.
Juvenile Turf: The favorite in this race is Interactif. He has done nothing wrong on the turf yet. If speed is still strong on the turf, then Bridgetown could be a live pace player.
Turf Sprint: A wide open event. Again, if speed rules, then California Flag rates a gander, along with Canadian Ballet. The downhill turf course at Santa Anita is …read more

This is the first in a series of blogs featuring the 2009 Breeders’ Cup, to be held at Santa Anita Park on November 6th and 7th. I will look at each division in the coming days and weeks, and I’ll start with the juvenile colts and geldings.
The West Coast contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile came into clear focus following the Norfolk Stakes on Oct 4th, and Lookin At Lucky is the clear cut favorite.
The Bob Baffert trainee remained undefeated with another professional tally on Sunday, and the 1/2 to Kensei should be tough to …read more

Misremembered turned the tables on Grazen in the Grade 2 Swaps. The latter wired the Affirmed (G3), and the former made all of the running on July 18th. Still think Grazen is the better horse, and he probably would have won on Sunday with aggressive handling. Cool that Bob Baffert won the Swaps with his other horse after Derby runner-up Pioneerof The Nile was retired with a leg injury.
Nick Zito struck graded gold at Delaware Park on Sunday, as his speedy colt Our Edge never looked back en route to a facile win in the Barbaro …read more

Everything is quiet on the Rachel Alexandra front. She is expected to be supplemented to the Preakness when entries are taken on Wednesday.
Derby hero Mine That Bird worked an easy half-mile in :49 and change on Monday at Churchill. Calvin Borel was up for the move, but he will ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Mike Smith has picked up the mount on the Derby winner.

Pioneerof The Nile was floating effortlessly in a sharp four furlong (:47-3/5) drill. He finished very well and seems to be on course for another fine effort.
“I liked what I saw,” Baffert …read more

Pioneerof The Nile drilled six furlongs in 1:13.52 over the drying out Churchill oval on Tuesday. Baffert liked the move, and more importantly, clocker and DRF columnist Mike Welch gave him a big thumbs up. He will have his final Derby work early next week, and he looks like a major factor at this point.
I Want Revenge breezed five panels (1:01.62) in company with Gato Go Win. Regular rider Joe Talamo was up for the work. He was not asked for his best in the maintenance move.

Mike Smith was up for Chocolate Candy’s flat mile (1:42.06) move. He was reportedly worn …read more

Pioneerof The Nile uncorked a strong 4f bullet in :46.62 at Santa Anita on April 15th. The Bob Baffert runner is an enigma for most handicappers as he continues to win on synthetic without earning flashy figs.

He has been flattered by his vanquished foes, including I Want Revenge and Papa Clem. I have always liked the son of Empire Maker and consider him a viable Derby threat. Note that his regular pilot Garrett Gomez also rides Dunkirk, and it will be interesting to see which colt he selects…stay tuned!
In other Derby news, Kentucky Challenge winner …read more

The $200k San Felipe is the final major local prep for the Santa Anita Derby (April 4th), and the lone stakes winner (Pioneerof The Nile) looms a standout in the field of seven.

Pioneerof The Nile has won his last two graded synthetic routes at this distance (8.5f) since moving to the Bob Baffert barn, and today’s pilot Garrett Gomez is 2-2 with him. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker does not have to win this as he has more than enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby starting gate, but the class of the field …read more

Saturday’s $200k Sham Stakes is a key local nine furlong prep for the April 4th Santa Anita Derby, and many of these need graded earnings if they hope to make it to the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby.

The Pamplemousse, the 9-5 morning line favorite, has won two straight, including the Grade 3 San Rafael at a flat mile here. Alex Solis/Julio Canani are 4-7 together, and the early/pressing type might get brave if able to sneak away early. He gets a stamina test today and will not offer much wagering value.
Mr. Hot Stuff is on the upswing …read more

Weekend recap (Feb 21-22), plus news and notes

Georgie Boy did not disappoint as the heavy fav in Saturday’s San Carlos (G2). Halo Najib ran well to garner the place, and I would not be surprised if the Mike Mitchell runner stretched out in the near future.
On Sunday, Spring House held off Church Service to repeat in San Luis Obispo Hcp (G2). Zambezi Sun finished a disappointing 6th in US bow…he still might be Big Cap bound.
Rail Trip ran his record to 4-4 on Friday, but the promising Ron Ellis runner is not expected for the Big Cap. His …read more