The Kentucky Derby Radar – Chapter 1
February 8th, 2010By Jude T. Feld
Joe Steiner breezing Lookin At Lucky for trainer Bob Baffert at Santa AnitaWith future book wagering on tap this weekend, it was time to dust off the ol’ chart books, print out some pps and decide who might be worth a few bucks of speculation if the price is right. (Don’t forget to get your pets spayed or neutered.)
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 earlier this month. We’ll still open him in the top spot off his big effort, from a horrible post, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and see how things sort themselves out.
BUDDY’S SAINT looked sensational winning the Nashua (G2) by 12 and validating that victory with a 5-length romp in the Remsen (G2). He has been training lights out for Bruce Levine and it should be all systems go in the Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 20 at Gulfstream Park.
INTERACTIF got a sanitary ride from Kent Desormeaux in the Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream in his 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 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).
WILLIAM’S KITTEN, also off since November, ran his usual solid race in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park and should be considered a Derby contender at this point. A little improvement and a fast-paced race could find him right there at the Churchill Downs wire. Trainer Mike Maker has yet to divulge the plans for his next start.
A fast early pace and the long Fair Grounds stretch added up to a visually impressive victory by RON THE GREEK in the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. The Florida-bred, who lacks any early speed, flew past the tiring front-runners who had burned themselves up on a hot pace. He is a difficult colt to gauge as this field wasn’t particularly strong, but he should be followed in his next couple of starts of which the Risen Star (G2) is up next.
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. That race has been rescheduled for February 13, so look for the Eoin Harty trainee to resurface there.
COOL BULLET, who has already overcome his meager $4,000 yearling price, looked magnificent going to the gate in the Lecomte and made a good showing on the racetrack as well. His first start around two turns, the gelded son of Red Bullet raced wide throughout and yet was only beaten 3 ½ lengths while finishing fourth. He could easily improve off that run and should be taken into account in his next outing, which will probably come in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park on President’s Day.
NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR, always highly regarded by his stable, put it all together going two turns and broke his maiden nicely in a nifty performance on January 24 at Santa Anita. The son of Lido Palace has a professional way about him and could be this year’s Vineyard Haven. He is reportedly headed for the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita on February 27.
