Kentucky Derby Radar – Chapter 3
March 8th, 2010By Jude T. Feld
Mendip raced himself into Kentucky Derby (G1) contention at MeydanGodolphin Photo
LOOKIN AT LUCKY seems to be Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s best shot at Kentucky Derby (G1) victory number four. The son of Smart Strike is consistent and tough. Although he missed a couple of days training with a fever last month, he continues to train well. We’ll be patient and keep him in the top spot off his big effort, from a horrible post, in the BC Juvenile (G1). Check back after the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park to see if he is still our top pick of if confidence has wained.
ESKENDARAYA was the buzz horse the week before the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) and he did not disappoint, cruising to an imposing 8 ½-length victory. Trainer Todd Pletcher is pointing his charge to the Florida Derby (G1), the next logical stop for the son of Giant’s Causeway and he should be considered the heavy antepost favorite for that one.
AWESOME ACT won the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct in visually impressive fashion. The Awesome Again colt, trained by British-based Jeremy Noseda, was making his first start on the real dirt and his first since finishing fourth in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). Noseda said the Wood Memorial (G1) April 3 at the Big A is next.
INTERACTIF got a rather sanitary ride from Kent Desormeaux in the Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream in his 2010 comebacker. The Broken Vow colt has always had a touch of class and the feeling here is that Kent, who has always liked this colt, didn’t want to abuse the Todd Pletcher trainee in his initial race on the Triple Crown trail. Look for continued improvement in the Lane’s End (G2) at Turfway or the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
BUDDY’S SAINT was run into the inside rail in the Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 20 at Gulfstream Park, losing all chance. It is too early to give up on the Bruce Levine trainee who will reportedly make or break his Kentucky Derby (G1) chances in the Wood Memorial (G1) or Florida Derby (G1).
The winter rains may have tightened up the Fair Grounds main track as the Risen Star (G3) was a parade from start to finish. DISCREETLY MINE went wire-to-wire with the second and third place finishers following him around the track. It was DISCREETLY MINE‘s first race around two-turns and he could improve as the distances increase with his outstanding pedigree (Mineshaft – Private Account mare).
Trainer Bob Baffert’s CONVEYANCE continued his unbeaten streak with a wire-to-wire score over D. Wayne Lukas-trained DUBLIN in the Southwest (G3). The winner looked super going postward and ran to his looks. If he continues to learn how to ration his speed in longer races, the Indian Charlie colt could be a force on the first Saturday in May. The Sunland Derby on March 28 may be next. Lukas has been saying all along that DUBLIN is a legit Derby contender. This was the Afleet Alex colt’s first start after a minor throat surgery and he should improve off the effort.
AMERICAN LION looked sharp winning the Hollywood Prevue (G3). He skipped the Cash Call Futurity (G1) and was scheduled to run in the rained-out Robert B. Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita on February 6. Rescheduled for February 13, the son of Tiznow disappointed as the favorite after breaking slowly. We’ll keep the Eoin Harty trainee on a short leash.
BLIPS
RADIOHEAD had been training super according to trainer Rick Dutrow and did not disappoint his backers while an easier allowance winner at Gulfstream. Gotta love a fresh, sound colt at this time of year, so expect some big things from the son of Johannesburg in the Florida Derby (G1).
MENDIP kept his unbeaten streak intact, taking the Al Bastakiya Stakes at Meydan in easy fashion, while defeating stablemate and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Vale of York. The UAE Derby (G2) is next on the dancecard for the Harlan’s Holiday colt who has zero in graded earnings.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
BOB BAFFERT is the best trainer in the United States. I wonder how many people used ALEXIS BARBA as a trainer for their “Road to the Roses†team? I wish I had. So much for BLIND LUCK being a superfilly.
