Two horses have dropped from the original list, including Homeboykris. The Rick Dutrow trainee was a disappointing 5^th in the Remsen on Nov 28^th. Thiskyhasnolimit, 6^th in the Kentucky Jockey Club, is also gone from the top ten.

A couple of new shooters have been added to the honorable mention list, starting with Rule. The Todd Pletcher trainee was the 3^rd WinStar Farm colt to win a graded event in the past few weeks. The other two (American Lion, Super Saver) are part of my top ten, and the recent Delta Jackpot (G3) winner is knocking on the door after his wire job win on Dec 5^th.  He added $450k in graded earnings for his winning effort, and that will be more than enough to get him into the Derby starting gate. He will winter in Florida, and his next start has yet to be determined.

William’s Kitten is also one to keep an eye on. The late striding colt was on my radar screen following a visually impressive tally in the off the turf Sunday Silence at Louisiana Downs. A pair of below par synthetic efforts followed, and he returned to conventional dirt with a clear place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on Nov 28^th.

William's Kitten shown in Louisiana Downs winners' circle. He rallied for the place in Kentucky Jockey club Stakes on Nov 28th.

1. Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) – Tasted defeat for the first time in the BC Juvenile, but he raced wide from the outside post and just missed in an excellent effort. Expect the likely 2yo champ to follow a similar path as last year’s Derby runner-up Pioneerof The Nile (also Baffert). CashCall Futurity on Dec 19th is next.

2. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) – Rolled through the Florida Stallion series, and he will be given every opportunity to make the Derby under the care of new trainer Nick Zito. Look for him at Gulfstream this winter.

3. Noble’s Promise (Cuvee) – Breeders’ Futurity hero had 3-race win streak snapped with BC Juvenile show finish. Ken McPeek has the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec 19th pegged as his next engagement.

4. Vale Of York (Invincible Spirit) – Surprise BC Juvenile winner brought good turf form to Santa Anita, and he proved he could handle synthetic ground. Godolphin runner is not bred for dirt, but the new track in Dubai (synthetic) should suit him.

5. Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway) – Found much early trouble in BC Juvenile, so his 9th place effort can be forgiven. Had been training well leading up to the Cup, and he’ll get a chance to rebound in the CashCall Futurity. Broke maiden on conventional dirt in Pilgrim Stakes.

6. American Lion (Tiznow) – Followed up his sharp Keeneland maiden win with a solid score in the Hollywood Prevue (G3) on Nov 21st. Eoin Harty trains the WinStar Farms colt, and he goes next in the CashCall Futurity.

7. Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) – Moved up from my honorable mention list to the 7^th spot in the top ten with a strong wire job victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill. The Todd Pletcher (WinStar Farm) trainee should only improve with distance and experience.

8. Interactif (Broken Vow) - Made a name for himself on the grass and was last seen finishing a rock solid 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Broke maiden in career bow on the main track, and the versatile Pletcher trainee has been sent to Florida to prepare for his 3yo campaign.

9. Buddy’s Saint (Saint Liam) – Followed up his romping Nashua (G2) tally with another easy score in the Remsen (G2). He is based in New York with trainer Bruce Levine. He will winter in Florida with the Wood Memorial as his early spring goal.

10. Dave In Dixie (Dixie Union) - Looked great in Del Mar debut, and he was not disgraced (6th) versus graded foes in the Norfolk 2nd time out. John Sadler wisely kept him out of the Cup, and he is one to watch for down the road.

Honorable Mention: Aikenite (Todd Pletcher), Dublin (Wayne Lukas), Rule (Todd Pletcher), Soaring Empire (Cam Gambalati), William’s Kitten (Michael Maker)

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Included in the dozen is Quality Road, who traveled 5f in 1:00.52 at Belmont Park in preparation for the $5 million Classic. The flashy 3yo obviously has talent, but ten furlongs is pushing the envelope, and how will be handle the Pro-Ride surface?

Quality Road will contest the Breeders' Cup Classic for Todd Pletcher

Exciting Juvenile Turf prospect Interactif breezed 4f in :49.14 on Oct 26th. He looked good in winning the Bourbon at Keeneland on Oct 11th.

Pletcher sure is loaded with promising youngsters, and according to clockers, Eskendereya had the move of the day. He worked in company with stablemate and fellow Cup entrant Aikenite. They finished up close together, but former reportedly galloped out strongly.

One baby not going to the Cup but making news was Florida Stallion series hero Jackson Bend. The Calder comet was purchased by Robert La Penta and will move to the barn of Nick Zito. Look for him in 3yo stakes ranks at the Gulf next winter.

Derby winner Mine That Bird uncorked a five furlong Pro-Ride bullet as he continues preparations for the Classic. He was last seen finishing 6th in the Goodwood.

Super Derby winner Regal Ransom (Classic) breezed a visually impressive five furlongs for Godolphin, and Lethal Heat went the same distance in the exact time of :58-2/5 for Barry Abrams. As noted in an earlier post, she might contest the Ladies’ Classic on Nov 6th and the Turf Sprint the following day.

On the international front, sharp conditioner Aidan O’Brien entered Rip Van Winkle in the Classic, and he’s the likely fav in that spot. Barn also has Mastercraftsman, who could go in the Dirt Mile (1st preference) or Classic.

Other Cup entrants from the O’Brien barn include Man of Iron (Marathon), Alfred Nobel (Juvenile), Beethoven (Juvenile), Lillie Langtry (Juvenile Filly Turf), and Viscount Nelson (Juvenile Turf).

We have the 2009 Breeders Cup thoroughly covered on Horse Racing Nation. I am pleased to announce that we have launched the BC Dashboard!

Over 90 video replays. Fields and morning lines for all 14 races. Handicapping race outlook. Historical Race Profiles. Find it all at the BC Dashboard.

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The Broken Vow colt, out of a Broad Brush mare, graduated in a main track sprint. He pressed the pace and weakened in the Grade 2 Sanford at Saratoga 2nd time out, and then Pletcher switched him to the turf.

His first grass race was a smashing success as he drew off to a facile tally in the Grade 3 With Anticipation at a mile and a sixteenth at Saratoga.

Interactif is the one to beat in the BC Juvenile Turf

His most recent start was a powerful off the pace triumph in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Bourbon on Oct 11th. He goes to Santa Anita seeking his 3rd win in as many turf route outings.

Codoy lit up the tote with a place finish in the Bourbon, and that was his 4th solid effort from as many turf starts. Family Foundation was next across the line in the Kentucky turf route, and that was his first loss on the turf following a pair of good looking wins.

Bridgetown scored in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, and the Ken McPeek trainee is expected to show up at Santa Anita. Becky’s Kitten landed the place in the Summer for fine conditioner Wesley Ward.

Joshua Tree earned an automatic berth for this with an overseas stakes win at Ascot for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Paddy O’Prado, the With Anticipation show finisher, may also head west for Dale Romans.

William’s Kitten was pointing to the Breeders’ Cup prior to his 5th place finish in the Grade 3 Grey at Woodbine. He handles turf and looked great in last to first tally in the Sunday Silence at Louisiana Downs.

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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 (G3). The late bloomer has won three straight and might show up at the Spa this summer.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird had his final Churchill move for his upcoming West Virginia Derby engagement. He traveled four panels in :48.20 on July 20th. He will van to Mountaineer on July 24th and will work once over that surface before the big dance on August 1st.

Papa Clem , a troubled 3rd in the Long Branch on July 11th, worked a solid 6f in 1:12.60 on July 20th. He remains at Monmouth Park and will go next in the Jim Dandy on August 1st or the Haskell on August 2nd.

Speaking of the Haskell, Rachel Alexandra turned in a bullet six furlong move in 1:13.88 at Saratoga on July 20th. Her stablemate Kensei covered the same distance in 1:14.47, and he may show up in the Jim Dandy next.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird , also shooting for Haskell glory, went six furlongs in 1:13 and change at Monmouth on July 19th.

Todd Pletcher is back in the three-year-old picture with Munnings. He will attempt a route of ground in the Haskell after spanking older graded extended sprinters. He has the raw talent to give Rachel a run…if he handles two turns.

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Illinois Derby hero Musket Man traveled six furlongs in 1:13. He finished up well and is a live Derby longshot.

Advice upset the apple cart in Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Gomez was aboard for Todd Pletcher . Note that barn already has Dunkirk for the Derby, and owner WinStar has Hold Me Back as well as Mr. Hot Stuff.

Underlaid fav Square Eddie ran a big race to land the show but came up short as expected. He has more than enough graded earnings, and Doug O’Neill are company are likely headed to the big dance. He has to come back in two weeks and has surface issues to overcome.

Garrett Gomez has opted to ride Pioneerof The Nile in the Derby. Dunkirk will reunite with maiden winning pilot Edgar Prado. I do not read much into the decision. Both are nice colts and it was not an easy call.

Speaking of Dunkirk , he worked a strong 5f in :59-4/5 in Florida on Saturday. The lightly raced colt fits on speed ratings and can compete if able to overcome his lack of seasoning.

Friesan Fire worked a mile in 1:39.47 at Keeneland on Sunday, and he galloped out nine furlongs in 1:54.44.

Larry Jones was pleased with the morning move, and his next activity will be a five furlong drill at Churchill on April 27th.

He certainly has the right trainer, pedigree, and running style to succeed in the Derby, but no races beyond 8.5 furlongs, coupled with a seven week break, could leave him a bit short on fitness. I have mixed feelings at this stage.

In Sunday’s other Derby news, Papa Clem worked 5f in 1:04.60 at Churchill, and Take The Points went four panels in :47.40 (1:00.60 gallop-out). The former will have a more serious drill next time, and the latter sits 23rd in graded earnings, so his Derby participation is not etched in stone.

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Giant Oak (9-2) is late running trouble-prone sort, and he is due for clear sailing and racing luck. The Chris Block runner needs pace help, and the speedy Perfect Song (6-1) figures to ensure honest splits.

Nowhere To Hide (5-1) will start from the rail for Nick Zito, and he was most recently seen finishing 4th in the Tampa Bay Derby.

The ever-present Todd Pletcher has Al Khali (6-1), Lord Justice (8-1), and Il Postino (20-1).

Toccet Rocket (20-1), His Greatness (20-1), Free Country (6-1), and Knight Shot (30-1) round out the field.

The $500k Illinois Derby is the 7th race on an 11-race program.

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The Elusive Quality colt was always traveling well tracking the pace under Johnny V , and when Dunkirk made a bold move turning for home, Quality Road found another gear and pulled clear for a 1-3/4 length tally.

The James Jerkens trainee joins I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire as versatile graded Derby prep route winners, and this crop is much faster and deeper than the ‘08 crew.

Early/pressing speed is frequently dangerous at the Gulf, especially at nine furlongs, and the track was lightning fast (1:47.72 track record ), but take nothing away from the winner. He looks every bit the part of a serious contender on the first Saturday in May.

Dunkirk (clearly 2nd best) was hardly disgraced under Garrett Gomez and picked up a desperately needed $150k in graded earnings, but he’s still on the bubble for the big dance.

Todd Pletcher’s $3.7 million purchase was only making his 3rd career start and faced a quality foe with a pace advantage. Maybe the best thing for the late bloomer is missing the Derby. He is clearly talented but is still light on seasoning.

Theregoesjojo kept Quality Road in his sights from the outset but could not match strides with the top two in the lane. He ended up 3rd, and a futile objection by Kent D was dismissed rather quickly. The Ken McPeek charge is best when able to sit back and make a late run, and he should revert to those tactics in the Derby.

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The Todd Pletcher runner has been visually impressive in a pair of wins to kick off his career at the Gulf, and it’s make or break time as he desperately needs graded earnings. Anything less than an exacta finish and his Derby dreams are virtually over.

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Pletcher is worried about the lack of pace on Saturday, and he has entered maiden Europe to spice up the early fractions. The rabbit broke slow in his local sprint bow, and the other entrants should let the overmatched colt do his thing before pouncing at their leisure.

Fountain of Youth winner Quality Road owns fine early/pressing speed and should not be bothered by the aforementioned rabbit. He projects a stalking trip as he tries two turns for the first time.

The remainder of the field includes Youth runner-up Theregoesjojo , Toby The Coal Man, Casey’s On Call, Sincero, Danger To Society, and Stately Character.

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In order to make it to the Derby starting gate, a top two finish on Saturday is mandatory.

Fountain of Youth hero Quality Road is the one to catch, and to that end, Pletcher may enter a rabbit (Europe) to ensure an honest pace for his undefeated $3.7 million purchase.

Entries for the Florida Derby will be taken on March 25th. Stay tuned!

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West Side Bernie (Bernstein) won the Ky Cup Juvenile here. He was last seen finishing an even 3rd from disadvantageous outer post in graded flat mile affair at the Gulf. He handles any footing and packs a decent late kick, and he should give a good account of himself under new rider Edgar Prado.

Jack Spratt (Candy Ride) failed to handle regular dirt in Fountain of Youth last time. He ran well in lone local outing and can rebound at a price. Leparoux rides him well, and Michael Maker is 30% dirt/synthetic.

Bittel Road has finished 4th in last two synthetic outings, and he faced such salty foes as Pioneerof The Nile, I Want Revenge, Papa Clem, and Chocolate Candy. All three wins occurred on turf, but the Pletcher trainee is a class fit at underlaid odds.

Hold Me Back (Giant’s Causeway) won a pair of synthetic races to kick off his career, and he was last seen finishing 5th behind runaway winner Old Fashioned in Aqueduct’s Remsen (Nov ‘08). Mott is 22% with this type of returnee, and he reunites with winning pilot Kent Desormeaux. He is training forwardly and I would not be shocked if he ran well, but he probably needs the outing.

Flying Private (Fusaichi Pegasus) rallied to miss by a head in fine sprint stakes try at Oaklawn for Lukas last time. $700k Keeneland sales grad is on the improve and could grab a piece of this if able to handle footing.

Parade Clown (Bernstein ) has been part of exacta in all 4 local outings, but he’ll have to kick it up a few notches to be competitive today.

Bruce N Autumn has failed to threaten in three starts versus winners, and I do not expect that to change in this graded affair. Dale Romans 1-22 dirt/synthetic, and Lebron is 4-7 with this barn. I like his pedigree (Lemon Drop Kid -Stop The Music), and he can pass horses, so a minor award is not impossible.

Proceed Bee added blinkers and won the local prep for this, but he’ll have to run much faster to threaten these.

Loch Dubh won a sprint stakes race here in early January, but he has failed to stay in a trio of route starts. Look for him to return to sprinting after today.

A. P. Cardinal (A. P. Indy) failed to handle Tampa Bay footing last time, and he gives synthetic a whirl today. Kiaran McLaughlin runner was a quality 2nd in 3yo bow and looms a pace player at the very least in 3rd race off the shelf.

Orthodox owns a pair of turf wire jobs and looms a pace factor at the very least, but he figures to tire after a mile or so.

Dynamite Bob owns low speed ratings and remains eligible for an entry level spot.

Top 3 selections: (1) West Side Bernie , (2) Jack Spratt, (3) Bittel Road

Longshot to Watch: Hold Me Back

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